UPDATE: 7 pm 10/31/2023
2487 acres have burned in the Highland Fire and 2356 structures are threatened. The fire is now 10% contained, according to Riverside County Fire. They issued an update at 7 pm. They reported three structures burned and six structures damaged. One firefighter had been reported injured.
The fire growth throughout the day was minimal; however, easterly winds continued and are forecast to remain in the area through Thursday evening, which have the potential to continue pushing the fire in a west/southwest direction. Firefighters will continue constructing handline around the perimeter.
Extremely steep and rugged terrain remains a challenge. Current and expected weather of steady winds with low relative humidity may increase the risk of erratic fire behavior.
New evacuation orders:
South of Sage Road/Golden Eagle Drive
East of Becker Lane
West of Boulder Vista
North of Cottonwood Creek
South of Highway 371
West of Sorenson Road
North of San Diego County Road
East of Vail Lake Resort
West of Shirley Way
North of David Street
South of Pueblo Road/Exa Ely Road
North of San Diego County Line
South of Highway 79
East of Forest Route 8507
West of Crosley Truck Trail
Evacuation Warnings:
West of Cahuilla Tribal Reservation Boundary
North of Country Line
North of Cleveland National Forest
South of Watts Road, Esplendida Way, Avenida Bravura
East of Pauba Road, De Portola Road
West of Round Top Canyon Road
A searchable map of the evacuation area is available at:
Road Closures
Highway 79 from Vail Lake to San Diego County Line
Sage Rd. from Hwy 79 to Wilson Valley Road
Wilson Valley Road from Sage Road to Hwy 371
Highway 371 from Highway 79 to Wilson Valley Road
There are presently 130 engines, 13 water tenders, 10 helicopters, 25 hand crews, 4 dozers and total personnel is 1109.
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Highland Fire in Aguanga scorches 2200 acres, zero containment
Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos
As of 5:45 am Tuesday, Oct. 31, the Highland Fire has scorched 2200 acres, growing from 1200 acres, doubling the acreage burned overnight. Evacuations are listed below. The containment is still being reported as zero, according to CalFire.
 
 
 
 
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According to CalFire, here are the evacuation orders in effect:
AN EVACUATION ORDER IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:Â South of Sage Road / Golden Creek North of Cottonwood Creek West of Boulder Vista East of Becker Lane
ADDED – 10-30-23 at 7:04 p.m. South of Highway 371 West of Sorenson and North of County Line Road
ADDED – 10/30/23 at 8:30 p.m. East of Vail Lake Resort West of Shirley Way North of David Street South of Pueblo Rd/Exa Ely Rd
AN EVACUATION WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
East of Vail Lake West of Shirley Way South of Pueblo Drive / Exa Ely Road North of David Street
ADDED – 10-30-23 at 7:04 p.m. West of Cahuilla Tribal Reservation Boundary and North of County Line Rd.
ADDED – 10/30/23 at 8:30 p.m. North of Cleveland National Forest South of Watts Road, Esplendida Way, Avenida Bravura East of Pauba Road, De Portola Road West of Round Top Canyon Road
A reception and care center has opened at: Great Oak High School 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula, Ca 92592
Large and small animals can be taken to: San Jacinto Animal Shelter 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, Ca 92582
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Highland Fire grows to 1,219 acres as of 7:30 pm Monday night, according to CalFire.
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Highland Fire scorches 500 acres
AGUANGA – A brush fire that erupted today in Aguanga scorched an estimated 500 acres, crossed a highway and damaged at least one property, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.
The blaze was reported about 12:40 p.m. in the area of Highlands and Aguanga Ranchos roads, near the junction of Highways 79 and 371, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was zero percent contained as of 5:25
p.m.
Multiple engine and hand crews from the Riverside County Fire Department, Corona Fire Department, Hemet Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Palm Springs Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies
were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate to the west, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.
Santa Ana winds became a significant factor as the afternoon progressed, but by 6 p.m., they had largely abated, according to regional weather reports.
Shortly after 3 p.m., the flames crossed Highway 371, moving west-southwest, heading toward residences in the 45100 and 45800 blocks of Highway 371, according to officials.
A house in the 45800 block of Jojoba Road was reportedly damaged by the fire. The occupants escaped uninjured, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Evacuation orders were posted for the area encompassing Boulder Vista Street to the west, Becker Lane to the east, Cottonwood Creek to the north and Golden Eagle Drive to the south.
An evacuation warning was issued for the area encompassing Shirley Way to the west, the Vail Lake Resort to the east, David Street to the north and Pueblo Road to the south.
CHP officers shut down Highway 79 at County Line Road for public safety. The 79/371 junction was also closed, and motorists were being turned around.
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 Jacinto Valley Animal Campus for safekeeping.
Six Cal Fire air tankers and four water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the fire before ground crews’ arrival, closing off its eastern flank. However, winds fanned the flames as crews worked to encircle the wildfire.
All air tankers cleared the area due to nightfall at 6:05 p.m. One water-dropping helicopter equipped for night operations remained in orbits, making targeted runs in support of ground crews, officials said.
The blaze started near a residence, but the exact cause was under investigation.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
Highland Fire burns 325 acres with zero containment; evacuations underway
CalFire is fighting A fire in Aguanga named the Highland Fire in Aguanga and evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for locations east and west of Highway 371.
The fire started at 12:37 pm today, Oct 30, 2023, and is threatening 15 structures, according to CalFire. It was last reported to be 325 acres at about 4:15 pm today with zero containment. It is located at Highland Rd and Aguanga Ranchos Rd. This fire is causing thick smoke to the area. There is also a fire burning in San Diego County called the Rancho Bernardo fire, which is smaller, however, there have been evacuations ordered.
