Crime & Safety
UPDATE: 4,700-Acre Brush Fire Forces Road Closures, Evacuations
The blaze was sparked in Mountain Center along Highway 74 at the 243 around 1:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire spokesman Mark Annas.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE FIRE
UPDATED AT 7:34 a.m. July 16, 2013: A brush fire that broke out Monday afternoon burning east of Lake Elsinore has now consumed approximately 4,700 acres and hundreds of firefighters are battling it, the U.S. Forest Service is reporting Tuesday morning.
The blaze was sparked in Mountain Center along Highway 74 at the 243 around 1:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire spokesman Mark Annas.
The U.S. Forest Service, which has taken the lead on the blaze, reported Tuesday morning it "is burning in very steep and rugged terrain in the southern portion of the San Jacinto Wilderness along the Desert Divide and in the Apple Canyon and Bonita Vista Areas."
Dubbed the Mountain fire, the blaze has forced mandatory evacuations in the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, Bonita Vista Community, Fleming Ranch, and Zen Mountain Center, the U.S. Forest Service reports.
Highway 243 is closed between Saunders Meadow Road and the junction of Highway 74, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Evacuation centers have been set up at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Avenue, Hemet; and Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road, Anza.
Animal evacuation sites have been established at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto. The shelter is accepting both small and large animals and can be reached at (951) 358-7387. Additionally, large and small animals can be taken to Lake Hemet Campground in Garner Valley, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
There have been structures damaged, although it's unknown the number or the extent of damage, Annas reported.
The fire has moved quickly through the area.
"First arriving units reported approximately five acres burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate," Annas reported shortly after the blaze broke out Monday afternoon.
The fire forced the closures of eastbound Highway 74 at the USFS Cranston Guard Station, and Highway 243 at Saunders Meadow, Annas added.
According to a report from the California Highway Patrol on Monday, the blaze was moving eastward.
There are no immediate reports of injuries.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire containment was at 10 percent, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Check back for updates.
Animal evacuation sites have been established at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto. The shelter is accepting both small and large animals and can be reached at (951) 358-7387. Additionally, large and small animals can be taken to Lake Hemet Campground in Garner Valley, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
There have been structures damaged, although it's unknown the number or the extent of damage, Annas reported.
The fire has moved quickly through the area.
"First arriving units reported approximately five acres burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate," Annas reported shortly after the blaze broke out Monday afternoon.
The fire forced the closures of eastbound Highway 74 at the USFS Cranston Guard Station, and Highway 243 at Saunders Meadow, Annas added.
According to a report from the California Highway Patrol on Monday, the blaze was moving eastward.
There are no immediate reports of injuries.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire containment was at 10 percent, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Check back for updates.
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