Lightning strike suspected in 2,000 acre fire near Murrieta
A brush fire just west of Murrieta has scorched approximately more than 2,000 acres just west of Murrietta, prompting evacuations, road and school closures today.
The fire was 7 percent contained Thursday afternoon with all evacuation orders remaining in place.
Authorities say the fire had grown to more than 2 square miles early Thursday.
There had been no reports of any structure losses.
Photos from today’s #TenajaFIRE in La Cresta. : CAL FIRE/RCOFD pic.twitter.com/kFSpanEa9F
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) September 5, 2019
The non-injury blaze was reported about 3:55 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Clinton Keith and Tenaja roads, in the unincorporated community of La Cresta, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Eighty-seven engine crews and a dozen hand crews, numbering over 500 personnel, were battling the flames, aided by six Cal Fire air tankers and several water-dropping helicopters, fire department officials said.
Along with county crews, firefighters from Murrieta Fire & Rescue, the Hemet Fire Department, Corona Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service were on the fire lines.
All residents on The Trails Circle and Copper Canyon North and South, between Clinton Keith and Murrieta Creek, were under mandatory evacuation orders, and areas of Bear Creek were under a voluntary evacuation warning. The Santa Rosa Plateau Visitor Center was shuttered as the flames moved along the western side of Clinton Keith, crossing ridges, Wednesday.
A care and reception center was established for displaced residents at Murrieta Mesa High School. Small animals were being accepted at that location. Accommodations for larger animals were available at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter.
Clinton Keith Road was closed south of Avenida La Cresta, and Tenaja Road was shut down between Via Volcano and Clinton Keith Road for public safety and to give crews freedom to maneuver.
A battalion chief at the scene said the flames appeared to be headed toward an old burn scar, which could starve the flames of fuel overnight.
Images from today’s #TenajaFIRE. pic.twitter.com/K6oRe5iYSF
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) September 5, 2019
A thunderstorm cell moved through the area just before the fire, and it’s suspected that a lightning strike ignited it.
Power lines were reported down at the location.
We’ve had some local residents reporting smelling the smoke from the fire. The county Department of Public Health did issue an air quality advisory, warning residents north and east of the Tenaja blaze that ash and smoke could have negative health impacts. The advisory has not been issued in the Coachella Valley at this time.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.
