The Tenaja Wildfire was reported to be 130 acres as of Sunday night, Aug. 25, at 10:30 pm. Containment as of Monday is 25%.
The fire was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service Cleveland National Forest.Â
The Tenaja Fire which started on Tenaja Truck Trail, ignited late Sunday morning, and grew rapidly to 100 acres, prompting immediate evacuation orders and a large-scale response from firefighting agencies, including several air tankers. The blaze began at approximately 11:48 a.m. near the area of Tenaja Truck Trail and Cariso Village, and within two hours, the fire had consumed 100 acres of land, according to Cal Fire.
Authorities issued immediate threat to life evacuation orders for residents in the Tenaja Truck Trail and Cariso Village. Flames were reported to be 20′ high with a fast rate of spread.Â
According to Alert RivCO, evacuation areas were: South of HWY74 and Tenaja Truck Trail, West of HWY 74, East of Verdugo Trail, North Cleveland Forest Road, Fox Spring Road.Â
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) assisted with road closures in the vicinity, lawfully barring public access to the affected areas. As of 2 p.m., a full hard closure was in place, and only residents with proof of address were allowed temporary access to retrieve their animals.
Ortega Highway was closed in both directions.
Lake Side High School, located at 32593 Riverside Dr. in Lake Elsinore, has been established as the primary care site for evacuated residents. The school accommodated small pets. Large animals were taken to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No structures were reported damaged and no injuries were reported. One person was detained and possibly arrested in the fire area. The individual, who was reportedly carrying a rifle and claimed to be shooting coyotes, has not been confirmed to be connected to the fire.
RVC-1798, RVC-1865, RVC-1866, RVC-1934, RVC-2074, RVC-2142, RVC-2143
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EARLY VERSION STORY: 1:44 pm update: The fire has now been mapped at 100 acres
Cal Fire is reporting immediate threat to life evacuation orders that have been issued after the Tenaja Fire started at about 11:48 am this morning, Sunday, August 25.
The Evacuation Orders have been issued for the area of Tenaja Truck Trail and Cariso Village.
CHP is aiding in the road closures. The area is lawfully closed to pubic access.
Lake Side Highschool is being set up as the care site for evacuated residents. The address is 32593 Riverside Dr. Lake Elsinore.
Large animals that have been evacuated can be taken to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto. Small pets can be taken to the Reception and Care site at Lakeside High School
There are several water tankers working the fire.
It has been reported that one person was detained and possibly arrested in the area of the fire who was carrying a rifle and said he was shooting coyotes. This hasn’t been verified if it is related to the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No structures have been reported to have been destroyed.
The Tenaja Fire has burned 75 acres as of about 1 pm, according to reports.
