Brush Fire Erupts On State Highway Between Temecula, Palm Desert, 1K Acres Burn

AGUANGA, CA — Two brush fires that erupted Wednesday, less than a mile apart in Aguanga, scorched more than 1,000 acres, destroying structures, prompting evacuations, and forcing the closure of a highway, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department shared.

The fire began for reasons still under investigation shortly after 12:30 p.m. and quickly grew to over 1,070 acres. As of Thursday morning, the blaze was 25% contained, according to Cal Fire.

"Crews are making good progress on the fire's perimeter, and the fire is now 331 acres. Evacuation Orders, Warnings, and road closures remain in place, according to Cal Fire.

SEE: Aguanga Fire: See Dale/Bradford Ranch Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Map

An animal shelter has been set up at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services located at 581 S. Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, CA 92582

A care and reception center was established at the Anza Community Center, located at 56630 Highway 371, Anza.

The blazes were reported at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday -- the first in the area of Riverdale Drive and Highway 371, the second about three-quarters of a mile to the south at Bradford Road and Gelding Way, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county and surrounding agencies were sent to the area and encountered flames moving at a rapid rate at the larger brush fire along Riverdale.

At least two structures, possibly vacant outbuildings, were consumed by the flames, according to officials at the scene. The second fire at Bradford was slower but also damaged two to three structures, burning about three acres, officials said. The forward rate of spread on that blaze was stopped by 1:45 p.m. while work on the Dale Fire continued.

Seven Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the larger fire at 1:10 p.m. The flames continued progressing in the direction of Cahuilla Creek Motocross and the Cahuilla Casino Hotel, both south of Highway 371, east of the brusher.

Evacuation orders were implemented by sheriff's deputies for a massive swath of land surrounding the blaze.

The aircraft operations succeeded in closing off the southern flank of the main fire, which was estimated at 220 acres at 2:30 p.m. Crews made a succession of drops in front of the brusher that slowed its advance as it moved across largely open space south of the 371. The objective was to halt the forward rate of spread at the intersection of Homestead and Tribal roads, less than a quarter mile west of the casino.

Both sides of the highway were shut down for public safety between the casino turnoff at Homestead to the east and Barbara Trail to the west, spanning roughly seven miles.

The source of the fires was not immediately known. The area has been ground zero for a cluster of minor and major wildfires over the past three years.

The most recent information on the blaze would be posted in the below X, formerly Twitter page, Castro said.

Initial reports of two structures, believed to be vacant outbuildings, being consumed by the flames have not yet been confirmed as of 1:45 p.m., according to Castro.

Although the official cause remains under investigation, according to a 911 caller to the California Highway Patrol, the brush fire was believed to have been caused by "chains dragging behind a vehicle traversing CA-371."

Road Closures and potential for evacuations:

California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officers have implemented evacuation orders for surrounding properties.

The motocross track and casino were under evacuation warnings as of 1:25 p.m.

The westbound side of Highway 371 was closed at the casino.

See the most recent Dale Fire Perimeter and the Evacuation and Evacuation Warning Maps Per Cal Fire.

City News Service contributed to this report.