Temecula Fire Scorches Hills Above Old Town: Photos

TEMECULA, CA — Forward progress was halted on a brush fire that ignited on Wednesday just west of Temecula. The blaze scorched 12 acres on the De Luz hillside and prompted Old Town Temecula residents and business owners to be placed on evacuation warning during the firefight.

Just after 11:45 a.m., a large plume of smoke was first spotted from the I-15 freeway and Old Town Temeculacula for the blaze that began near the intersection of Via Tornado and Via Santa Rosa, in the unincorporated community of De Luz.

Multiple engine crews were sent to the location, where they came face to face with flames moving at a moderate rate through medium brush, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Tawny Castro.

Though the blaze did not immediately threaten homes, the area was placed under a brief mandatory evacuation. Old Town Temecula, down the hill, was placed under a temporary evacuation warning during the firefight.

The lightly populated De Luz location where the fire burned is zoned as rural-agricultural; however, there are homes nearby.

Multiple Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were dispatched from Hemet Ryan Airfield to make runs on the brush fire. Evacuation warnings were in effect, and road closures were implemented during the incident.

By 2 p.m., the choppers remained available for targeted drops directed by ground personnel. Full containment was expected by late Wednesday afternoon.

Old Town Temecula's City Hall and the Visit Temecula office offered a clear view of the smoke column and the fire air attack that took shape during the incident.

As the hours passed, the smoke increased, and evacuation orders were briefly issued before being reduced to warnings.

Residents and Old Town employees, like Norma Marlowe, watched for information as Old Town was placed under an evacuation warning.

The shopkeepers at In Bloom Bookery and workers at Visit Temecula Valley told Patch that they were watchful, staying vigilant as they awaited further information. Ultimately, the situation calmed.

The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known. There were no injuries as a result of the Wednesday brush fire.

Related:

Temecula Fire: See Tornado Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Warning Map