Brush Fire Forces Evacuations In Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA — A wildfire that erupted Friday on the northeast side of Murrieta scorched 72 acres, and homes were threatened.

The non-injury "Alamos Fire" was reported at 3:22 p.m. on the north side of Los Alamos Hills Sports Park, near the intersection of Los Alamos Road and Ruth Ellen Way, according to Murrieta Fire & Rescue.

Evacuation orders were issued for an area north of Via Mira Mosa, south of Keller Road, east of Interstate 215/Whitewood Road, and west of Winchester and Briggs roads. As of 6 p.m., the orders were downgraded to warnings. See a map of evacuated areas here.

A care and reception center opened at The Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper Street. The fire department said an "unknown number" of residents were displaced but there was no known structure loss.

At 5:30 p.m. the fire department reported that the blaze's spread was halted but there was still zero containment.

There are reports that electrical transmission lines were damaged near Vista Murrieta High School.

There was no immediate word regarding how the fire might have started.

Check back for updates.

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