Wildomar Wildire Now 60% Contained

WILDOMAR, CA -- A wildfire that burned more than 850 acres in Wildomar was 60 percent contained as of Saturday morning.

The wildfire — which broke out in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness area, south of the Ortega (74) Highway and Main Divide Road — on Thursday was reportedly caused after a Ladera Ranch man crashed his 2001 Yamaha motorcycle into a tree. The vehicle, which was leaking fuel, sparked the fire that forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.

As of Friday night, all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted but residents were urged to use caution in the area.

The wildfire, which comes on the heels of several wildfires in Northern California, prompted the response of more than 900 firefighters. More than 100 engines, five helicopters, five air tankers and 35 overhead personnel were also called to the scene.

No injuries have been reported.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned residents in parts of Lake Elsinore and the Perris and Temecula valleys closest to the blaze of unhealthy air quality due to smoke and ash wafting in from the fire area.

"Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors,'' SCAQMD officials said.

It's unclear when the wildfire will be fully contained.

Check back with Patch for more information as it becomes available.

--City News Service contributed to this report; Photo by Joe Fanaselle