Murrieta Fire: 2-Acres Burn, 1 House, Sheds Lost To Overnight Blaze

MURRIETA, CA — A house fire that grew into a brush fire off I-15 in Murrieta overnight was halted after four hours due to some new technologies and coordinated efforts, Murrieta Fire & Rescue spokesperson Dawn Morrison said in a recent news release.

The fire was contained to two acres, with one home and multiple outbuildings lost. No one was injured in the blaze.

Just before 6 p.m., Murrieta firefighters responded to reports of a burning home on Fig Street and Hoover Avenue. Strong Santa Ana winds blasted the fire, quickly spreading to surrounding outbuildings and threatening nearby properties, resulting in evacuation warnings for nearby residents and businesses.

"First responders faced challenges such as hazardous wind conditions and limited water supply because residents rely on private wells in this area of the city. This means there are not many hydrants in the area, yet their coordinated efforts successfully halted the fire’s progress, saving numerous structures and preventing further escalation.

"Around 7 p.m., the Murrieta Police Department evacuated the affected area and issued in-person evacuation notices. At the same time, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, in partnership with Riverside County Emergency Management Department, implemented Genasys Alerting Software and delivered geo-targeted alerts across multiple platforms to ensure public awareness.

"The Murrieta Police Department’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was crucial in fire containment efforts. Leveraging this new technology in the city, resources were able to use overhead thermal imaging technology to determine the fire perimeter spread and identify hotspots. This resource guided firefighting crews to residual heat and allowed crews to search for embers that had landed outside the containment line. This enhanced situational awareness ensured a thorough mop-up process and prevented further fire spread."

According to Morrison, this outcome underscores the dedication and skill of the responding agencies and the value of modern technology and interagency collaboration during emergencies.

"The response to this incident highlights the strength of our regional partnerships in Riverside County. With other simultaneous active fire-straining resources countywide, the collaboration between Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Murrieta Police, Riverside County Fire, CAL FIRE Perris Dispatch, and mutual aid agencies proved instrumental in containing the fire."

All evacuation warnings were lifted as of 10 p.m. Thursday and all remaining evacuations were lifted as of 8 a.m. Friday morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Related: Murrieta Fire: Evacuations Lifted, Cause Of Blaze Under Investigation