Highland Fire Burns 2,500 Acres, 15% Contained, Air Quality Alerts

AGUANGA, CA — A wildfire that burned nearly 2,500 acres and damaged properties in Aguanga remained active Wednesday but was barely budging, prompting a reduction in Cal Fire air crews orbiting the fire zone and a restoration of electricity that had been turned off for public safety at the height of the blaze.

Related: Inferno In Photos: SoCal Windstorm Contributes To Swift-Burning Fire

The brush fire, which erupted about 12:40 p.m. Monday in the area of Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, near the junction of Highways 79 and 371, was holding at 2,487 acres, with 15% containment as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

A public safety power shutoff -- during which transmission lines are de-energized -- requested by fire personnel during the first hours of the brusher along Highway 79 ended at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to officials at the scene. However, about 115 Southern Calfornia Edison customers remained without electricity in the area, according to the utility.

Around noon Wednesday, all Cal Fire air tankers and the "air attack" operations coordinator departed the area, returning to Hemet-Ryan Airport, with flames largely confined within the acreage where tankers had dropped fire retardant since Monday. One Cal Fire helicopter was standing by to make targeted drops at the request of ground personnel, according to reports from the scene.

The National Weather Service forecast winds between 15 and 20 mph early Wednesday afternoon, but it was unknown how much impact they'd have. Winds were expected to be light and variable during the evening hours.

"The fire behavior overnight was minimal, with some minor creeping and smoldering observed," according to a fire department statement. "Easterly winds are forecast to continue in the area through Thursday evening, which have the potential to push the fire in a southwest direction. Firefighters will continue constructing hand line around the perimeter."

The agency said firefighters were trying to stamp out flames in "extremely steep and rugged terrain."

As of Wednesday morning, nine structures, including three homes, were either damaged or destroyed by the brusher. One firefighter injury was reported, but no details were immediately available.

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

Roughly 4,000 residents were under evacuation orders or warnings. A care and reception center was established for evacuees at Great Oak High School in Temecula. Residents with large and small pets were invited to drop them at the San Jacino Valley Animal Campus for safekeeping.

Evacuation orders were in place:
-- south of Sage Road, north of Cottonwood Creek, between Becker Lane and Boulder Vista;
-- south of Highway 371, west of Sorenson Road and north of San Diego County Line Road;
-- north of David Street, south of Pueblo Road, between Vail Lake Resort and Shirley Way; and
-- south of Highway 79, north of the San Diego County line, between Forest Route 8S07 and Crosley Truck Trail.

Evacuation warnings were in place:
-- west of the Cahuilla Tribal Reservation boundary and north of County Line Road; and
-- north of Cleveland National Forest, south of Watts Road and Avenida Bravura, between De Portola Road and Round Top Canyon Road.

As of Wednesday morning, about 1,000 firefighters were working to shore up containment lines.

Road closures remained in effect Wednesday on Highway 79 from Vail Lake to the San Diego County line; Sage Road from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road; Wilson Valley Road, from Sage Road to Highway 371; and Highway 371, from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road.

The blaze started near a residence, but the exact cause was under investigation.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Tuesday issued a wildfire smoke advisory due to the blaze, nothing that winds have been pushing the smoke toward Temecula and San Clemente. The air-quality agency urged residents in affected areas to limit their exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed, running air conditions or air purifiers and avoiding vigorous outdoor physical activity. Residents were also told to avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air.

Related:

Inferno In Photos: SoCal Windstorm Contributes To Swift-Burning Fire

Livestock Evacuated From Highland Fire Find Shelter In San Jacinto

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