Crews have contained a rapidly spreading fire in Riverside County that sparked evacuation orders amid an “immediate threat to life Sunday,” according to fire officials.
The blaze, dubbed the “Tenaja Fire,” was first reported at 11:48 a.m. Sunday. In the hours since, it quickly spread to 99.5 acres in size as of 2:51 p.m.
It was burning in Lake Elsinore in an area south of Ortega Highway off of Tenaja Truck Trail. Ortega Highway was closed in both directions.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered in the area of Tenaja Truck Trail. The evacuation shelter is located at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore, located at 32593 Riverside Drive.
While small animals were welcomed at Lakeside High School, larger animals were being accepted at San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S. Grand Avenue in San Jacinto.
By 6:31 p.m., officials announced that firefighters had stopped the forward rate of progress and were able to gain 25% containment on the blaze.
It’s unclear if those forced to evacuate are being let back onto their properties.
Crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the night as the build containment lines around the fire’s perimeter and mop additional hotspots.
No injuries have been reported.