Full Containment On 2,487-Acre Highland Fire East Of Temecula: Nov. 8

AGUANGA, CA — Crews gained more containment on the four-day-old, 2,487-acre Highland Fire burning in Aguanga, just east of Temecula.

As of Friday morning, the blaze reached 50% containment as air attack was scaled back and many evacuated residents were allowed to return home.

In a briefing, Day Operations Section Chief Andrew Bennetsaid firefighter priorities were met overnight Thursday as firefighters laid hose lines around the blaze and finished cutting out the handline. "The fire didn't move last night," he said. Other priorities included reducing evacuation orders, feeding and watering livestock still in the area, allowing power back into lines along Highway 79, and repairing roads that have been damaged during the firefight.

Related: 3 Families Lose Everything In The Highland Fire: How To Help

The steep and rugged terrain remains a challenge to those battling the blaze on foot, however. Additionally, as the easterly Santa Ana winds die down and coastal breezes returned Thursday afternoon, the predicted wind change could increase the possibility of hot spots across the containment line, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Many residents evacuated by the Highland Fire were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday into Thursday as evacuation orders were returned to warning stages. Some evacuation orders and many warnings remained in place Thursday night:

• North of Riverside/San Diego County Line
• East of Crosley Truck Trail
• South of Cottonwood School Road
• West of Sorenson Road

See the full evacuation map, including areas still under evacuation warning, at https://linktr.ee/calfirerru.

The Highland Fire has destroyed seven structures, damaged six others and injured one firefighter.

Several roads remained closed into Thursday due to the blaze:

• Highway 79 from Vail Lake to San Diego County Line
• Sage Road from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road
• Willson Valley Road from Sage Road to Highway 371
• Highway 371 from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road

The fire was first reported about 12:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, near the junction for Highways 79 and 371, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. It quickly ballooned due to strong Santa Ana wind conditions that persisted overnight and through Tuesday.

Over 1,200 personnel on the ground and in the air have been assigned to the blaze, including crews from neighboring cities and counties.

A care and reception center remains open for evacuees at Great Oak High School, 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula. San Jacinto Animal Shelter is open for large and small animals at 581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto.

Those needing assistance with animal evacuations can call 951-358-7387

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Full containment on the blaze was not expected until Nov. 8, fire officials said.

Southwest Riverside County residents continue to experience added smoke from a large brush fire that is also burning to the west, on open training grounds at Camp Pendleton.

The non-injury blaze, dubbed the Canyon Fire, erupted Tuesday along the northern end of the military installation, according to base officials.

The flames were not posing structural threats, base officials reiterated Thursday.

The smokey air from the two large blazes burning in the region prompted an air-quality alert across Southwest Riverside County and Orange County.

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3 Families Lose Everything In The Highland Fire: How To Help