As of 10 p.m. Sunday, July 20, the Dale Fire has burned 1,096 acres and is 90% contained, according to CAL FIRE. Firefighters are continuing overnight operations to strengthen and secure containment lines, grid the interior for hotspots, and ensure no smoldering pockets remain.
Crews worked through Saturday night conducting tactical patrols and mop-up efforts, clearing dense ash and unburned vegetation to reinforce fire lines.
The blaze, which began Wednesday, July 16, near Lugo Road and Highway 371 in Aguanga, initially prompted rapid evacuations as flames advanced toward homes and infrastructure. At its peak on July 16, the fire had burned 1,072 acres with only 25% containment and had 216 personnel assigned, including 37 engines, four water tenders, two helicopters, four dozers, four hand crews, and five support units.
By Sunday, the response had expanded to 318 personnel, 18 engines, 10 water tenders, four bulldozers, eight hand crews, and two support units. Numerous air tankers from across the state conducted suppression missions as weather permitted. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Evacuation orders were issued for multiple zones beginning Wednesday afternoon, including CBI-CAHUILLA1 and later expanding to RVC-LAKERIVERSIDEESTATES4, RVC-TABLEMT4, RVC-TABLEMT5, RVC-2327, and several Tule zones. As of Sunday night only Evacuation warnings remain in effect for potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now. CBI-CAHUILLA1-C
The Care and Reception Center at Anza Community Center (56630 Highway 371) closed Sunday at 7 a.m. However, support services remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. An animal evacuation shelter is operating at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, located at 581 S. Grand Avenue in San Jacinto.
Temperatures in the fire zone reached approximately 86.5°F during peak activity. Officials continue to urge residents to monitor official channels for updates and to comply with all evacuation directives.
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The Dale Fire as of Sunday night, July 20, at 10 pm, has remained at 1096 acres burned and is 90% contained.
Crews will continue working through the night extending containment lines, griding the interior of the fire and validating existing lines from any hidden smoldering pockets.
Saturday night, crews continued tactical patrolling and mopping up through dense spots of ash in and around unburned bushes and vegetation to strengthen and extend the containment lines.
The Evacuation Center located at the Anza Community Center, 56630 Highway 371, Anza closed on Sunday morning 7/20/2025 at 7 AM.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, 59011 Bailey Road, Anza is open from 7 AM to 7 PM starting Sunday morning 7/20/2025
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A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Dale Fire has prompted multiple evacuation orders across Riverside County as flames threaten homes and critical infrastructure near Aguanga.
The fire, which started on July 16 near Lugo Road and Highway 371, is being managed under unified command by CAL FIRE Riverside Unit and cooperating agencies. As of Wednesday evening, the fire had burned 1,072 Acres and has reached 25% containment.
As of Wednesday night, 216 personnel were assigned to the Dale Fire. The active resource deployment includes:
37 engines
4 water tenders
2 helicopters
4 dozers
4 hand crews
5 additional support units
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
The cause remains under investigation, and fire crews are actively engaged in structure protection and perimeter control efforts. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, and the number of structures threatened is still being assessed.
The Riverside County Emergency Management Department issued a critical evacuation order for Zone ID: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
CBI-CAHUILLA1, which spans:
North of: Cooper Cienega Truck Trail
South of: Wellman Road
East of: Cahuilla Road, Pawnee Court
West of: Terwilliger Road
Since then, evacuation orders have expanded to include the following zones:
CBI-CAHUILLA1
RVC-LAKERIVERSIDEESTATES4
RVC-TABLEMT4
RVC-TABLEMT5
RVC-2327
RVC-TULE1
RVC-TULE2
RVC-TULE4
RVC-TULE6
RVC-TULE7
RVC-TULE8
Evacuation warnings are in effect for these nearby zones:
RVC-2280-B
RVC-2369
RVC-TABLEMT3
RVC-TABLEMT6
RVC-TULE3
RVC-TULE5
Emergency Shelters:
Evacuated residents can seek support at the designated Care and Reception Center:
Anza Community Center
56630 Highway 371
Anza, CA 92539
Animal Evacuation Shelter:
Animals can be brought to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services facility at:
581 S. Grand Avenue
San Jacinto, CA 92582
The fire zone was experiencing temperatures around 86.5°F as of the latest evacuation update. Officials continue to urge residents to heed all evacuation orders and stay tuned to official sources for updates.
