Mountain Center Fire Map: Evacuations Remain In Place For 1,690-Acre Rosa Fire East Of Temecula

MOUNTAIN CENTER, CA — Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Wednesday evening for the Rosa Fire burning east of Temecula. As of 8 a.m. Friday, the blaze, which had burned through 1,690 acres and was 40% contained.

There is no word when evacuations will be lifted. Orders and warnings were expanded Monday due to the non-injury blaze. Click here to see the updated evacuation areas.

"Fire crews continued to make good progress today in strengthening containment lines. The area saw an increase in temperatures into the mid-90s, with relative humidity continuing to drop. The steep terrain in the area presents operational challenges, limiting access for ground crews and heavy equipment. All of which continues to make fire line construction difficult. Resources will continue to remain engaged throughout the night." Cal Fire reported in their situation summary.

As of Wednesday night, 498 structures remained threatened, according to Cal Fire. None have been lost in the blaze.

Due to the fire, Highway 74 remains closed in both directions between the junction at Highway 371 in Anza to the west and the outskirts of Pinyon Pines to the east — about a seven-mile stretch.

To assist local residents impacted by the fire, the Riverside County Emergency Management Department mobilized and set up care and reception centers for mountain residents at the Anza Community Hall, 56630 CA-371, and the Palm Desert Community Center & Gymnasium located at 43-900 San Pablo Avenue.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services was sending trucks and trailers to help evacuate animals. It was gathering staff from both ends of the county to assist, according to Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

Animal evacuation shelters are open at San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, and the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, located at 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms.

The Rosa Fire was first reported at 12:25 p.m. Monday in the 63000 block of Highway 74, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known.

—Check back for updates.