A brush fire ignited in the foothills of Riverside County on Wednesday afternoon, growing to 1,071 acres by midnight and prompting evacuation orders in nearby rural communities, authorities said.
The Dale fire was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lugo Road and Highway 371 in Aguanga, according to the Riverside Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The blaze was initially burning at a moderate rate of spread and was mapped at 331 acres at 3:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire Riverside.
By 8:45 p.m., the fire had grown to 700 acres and crews were said to be making good progress on the perimeter. Helicopters assisted ground crews combating the blaze overnight, according to Cal Fire Riverside.
By Thursday morning, crews had managed to establish 25% containment. In the afternoon, inspection crews were sent to assess any damaged or destroyed structures. Meanwhile, fire crews continued to mop up hot spots and strengthen containment lines, according to Cal Fire Riverside.
Residents in areas of Lake Riverside, Aguanga, Anza and the Cahuilla Reservation close to the fire were initially ordered to evacuate, while those slightly farther away were placed under evacuation warnings.
As of Thursday, most of the evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings with the exception of the Cahuilla Reservation, where residents remained under evacuation orders.
An updated map of the communities affected by the warnings and orders is available here.
A care and reception center was opened for affected residents at the Anza Community Center, at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. An animal evacuation center was established at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.
There were 216 firefighting personnel, 37 engines, four dozers, four water tankers and two helicopters assigned to the incident, according to Cal Fire.
The temperature was in the mid-80s with winds gusting to 10 mph at the time the fire ignited, according to the National Weather Service.
