Fast-moving Highland Fire rips through Riverside County and spreads to 2,200 acres: More than 4,000 people evacuated and homes destroyed
A fast-moving wildfire that has swept through Riverside County has spread to more than 2,200 acres and has yet to be contained by firefighters.
Seasonal Santa Ana winds began wreaking havoc on Monday as the ‘Highland Fire’ erupted across rural southeastern Los Angeles areas around 12:45 a.m. Monday.
More than 4,000 people have been forced to evacuate after wildfires in Riverside County endangered 1,300 homes.
The fire grew even further to 2,200 hectares on Tuesday morning and zero percent has been contained, according to the report Cal Fire. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
About three kilometers of land has been affected by the ravages of the wildfires, which have destroyed at least three buildings and damaged six others.
A fast-moving wildfire that has swept through Riverside County has spread to more than 2,200 acres and has yet to be brought under control by firefighters
More than 4,000 people have been forced to evacuate after wildfires in Riverside County put 1,300 homes at risk
According to Cal Fire, the fire grew even more to 2,200 acres on Tuesday morning and is less than one percent contained. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far
Seasonal Santa Ana winds began wreaking havoc when the “Highland Fire” erupted across rural southeastern Los Angeles areas around 12:45 a.m. Monday.
The disaster brought 310 firefighters to the scene with three air tankers, three helicopters and three water tenders.
The Santa Ana winds, also called devil winds, are strong, dry, downslope winds that blow inland and affect the Southern California coast around fall most years.
California got its first glimpse of the Santa Ana winds this past week – with strong winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour.
The affected area in Riverside County is sparsely populated and the fire initially started in the uninhabited, dry, bushy hills of Aguanga.
Most homes in the small town of Aguanga sell for less than $1 million — with more expensive homes costing about $800,000 and empty lots as low as $30,000 for three acres of land, according to Zillow.
‘The problem here is not only the wind, but also the very low relative humidity, which does not provide good recovery times for fuels. So the fuel is very dry and the humidity is extremely low and the wind is pushing it,” Maggie Cline De La Rosa with Cal Fire said. KTL.
Firefighters attack from the air with a fire retardant drop as they battle the Highland Fire
California resident Francis Lopez extinguishes flames with a bucket of water as a wildfire called Highland Fire burns through his property in Aguanga, California
The Santa Ana winds, also called devil winds, are strong, dry, downslope winds that blow inland and affect the Southern California coast around fall most years.
Firefighters hold the hose as they battle the latest Highland Fire in Southern California
The disaster brought 310 firefighters to the scene with three air tankers, three helicopters and three water tenders
Winds were forecast to ease overnight, giving firefighters a chance to get the fire under control.
Fire spokesman Jeff LaRusso said, “Wind trumps everything. Hopefully the predictions hold up.’
Mindy Ellison, a lifelong resident of Aguanga, said high winds blew burning coals onto the hillside near her home and started a fire close to her.
“That hill…has never burned down as long as we’ve lived here,” she said. “The two surrounding hills are, but that one is burning for the first time.”
A shelter and care center has been set up at Great Oak High School for those affected by the fire.
Firefighters work to extinguish flames caused by the Highlands wildfire
A fire truck approaches like a structure engulfed in flames
The affected area in Riverside County is sparsely populated and the fire initially started in the uninhabited, dry, bushy hills of Aguanga.
Winds were forecast to ease overnight, giving firefighters a chance to get the fire under control
Mindy Ellison, a lifelong resident of Aguanga, said high winds blew burning coals onto the hillside near her home and started a fire close to her
Evacuation orders remain in effect for residents south of Sage Road and Golden Eagle Drive, north of Cottonwood Creek, west of Boulder Vista and east of Becker Lane.
Residents south of Highway 371, west of Sorensen Road and north of the San Diego County line are also under the evacuation order.
A Cal Fire spokesperson said the Highland fire is burning in light grass and waist-high brush.
Cameras in the area showed waves of white smoke
“We will have a greater expansion of land resources today.” he said.
“They will be supported by numerous assets who will be working in the area, as well as our fixed wings and helicopters who will be working over the fire throughout the day to try to create some containment of this.
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The Santa Ana winds have caused some of the worst wildfires in California history, including the devastating Woolsey Fire in Malibu that started on November 8, 2018 and destroyed more than 220,000 acres.
The raging fires in Malibu in 2018 killed at least 50 people and destroyed entire communities.
The National Weather Service said Riverside County could see winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 miles per hour through Tuesday.
The weather service issued an extreme fire danger warning for parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties on Tuesday afternoon.