A brush fire, named the Highland Fire, broke out in Riverside County near Temecula, prompting an evacuation order for residents in affected areas. The fire was reported to have started at 12:37 p.m. and quickly spread, covering an area of 1,219 acres by 7:51 p.m. Firefighters from various departments, including Corona, Hemet, Murrieta, Palm Springs, and the U.S. Forest Service, have joined efforts to battle the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries or structural damages have been reported so far. The fire occurred during a red flag warning, with gusty Santa Ana winds heightening the risk of wildfires in Southern California.
Residents residing in specific areas have been ordered to evacuate their homes. These areas include the region south of Sage/Golden Eagle Drive, east of Becker Lane, west of Boulder Vista, north of Cottonwood Creek, south of Highway 371, west of Soreson, and north of County Line Road. Additionally, an evacuation warning has been issued for areas east of Vail Lake Resort, west of Shirley Way, north of David Street, south of Pueblo Road/Exa Ely Road, west of Cahuilla Tribal Reservation Boundary, and north of County Line Road. For those affected, Great Oak High School in Temecula has been designated as a shelter, and large animals can be taken to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter for safety.
The Highland Fire comes at a time when the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for several counties in Southern California due to breezy Santa Ana winds. These weather conditions pose a significant fire risk, raising concerns for the safety of residents and their properties. Firefighters are working diligently to contain the fire and prevent it from causing further damage or harm.
