Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Temecula Fire Spreads, Area Roads Closed

Update:  

Fire Officials Determine Cause of Now-Contained Temecula Fire


Update 6:15 p.m.:  


Riverside County fire officials say the fire is now estimated at 30 acres in size.

Rancho California has been closed due to the fire, according to Cal Fire Spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson.  Sheriff's officials are on scene helping with traffic control.

"The Sheriff's Office will be escorting all motorists on Rancho California for safety measures due to committed resources of the fire in the roadway," she said in an incident report.

125 firefighters are now assigned to the fire, which has been dubbed the "Santa" incident.


Original story as follows:

Dozens of firefighters have been sent to help extinguish a blaze in the Temecula area, Cal Fire reports.

According to Melody Hendrickson with the Riverside County Fire Department, the fire was first reported around 3:18 p.m. in the area of Via Santa Rosa and Rancho California Road.

When crews first arrived, an incident commander reported approximately two to three arcres burning "at a moderate rate of speed," according to Hendrickson.  By 4 p.m., the size was estimated at 15 to 20 acres.

So far, 65 firefighters from 13 engine companies have been sent to the scene, along with two air tankers and one helicopter, according to fire reports.
 
 
 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.