Evacuations Ordered As Brush Fires Erupt In Inland Empire

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Two brush fires erupted Tuesday in the Inland Empire, with both threatening structures and forcing evacuations.

The Cahuilla Fire, burning east of Temecula in Anza, has consumed 175 acres with 50% containment as of 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Another blaze, the Ranch Fire in San Bernardino County, has scorched more than 1,500 acres with no containment.

The Cahuilla Fire was reported at 12:25 p.m. near the Cahuilla Casino Hotel at Highway 371 and Homestead Road in Anza, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine and hand crews from the county and surrounding agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a rapid rate to the southeast, burning onto a hillside by the time the first Cal Fire air tankers reached the scene.

The fire moved away from the casino grounds, tracking toward scattered properties. An evacuation order was issued for the area north of Cooper Cienega Truck Trail, south of Wellman Road, east of Cahuilla Road/Pawnee Court and west of Terwilliger Road.

Sheriff's deputies were summoned for traffic control.

The blaze's forward rate of spread was stopped at 3:45 p.m., and ground crews were continuing to improve containment lines.

The Ranch Fire was reported at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday south of Apple Valley, and was burning at a fast rate due to strong wind conditions.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the blaze was threatening structures, and evacuation orders were issued, according to Cal Fire/San Bernardino County Fire Department. Follow the agency on social media for evacuation updates.

Read the latest on the Ranch Fire: Evacuations Ordered As Ranch Fire Swells To More Than 1,500 Acres In IE

The cause of both fires is under investigation.