A fast-moving wildfire burning in dry brush and driven by wind in rural Riverside County grew quickly to more than 7 square miles and has destroyed at least one home, fire officials reported July 31.
Four other structures were also damaged in the flames that were headed toward mountains along the boundary of Riverside and San Diego counties.
Fire crews reported 8 percent containment Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the blaze, known as the Nixon fire, which started on a dirt road remains under investigation, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
The area is sparsely populated with horse ranches and homes.
Flames were reported at 12:30 p.m. Monday on Tule Valley Road and Richard Nixon Boulevard in Aguanga, an unincorporated community about 18 miles east of Temecula.
Nearly 1,000 homes in several neighborhoods in and around Temecula were evacuated Monday, according to Cal Fire’s Riverside crew.
About 250 firefighters were battling the fire on the ground and with aircraft, aided by two helicopters, 44 fire engines, bulldozers, and other fire personnel, according to fire officials.
Agencies from Cal Fire’s San Diego County unit were assisting the operation.
Seven Cal Fire air tankers and helicopters were dropping water on the flames before 1 p.m. Tuesday, slowing the fire’s growth before it started accelerating again, according to reports from the scene.
A care and reception center for evacuated residents was opened at Temecula Valley High School on Rancho Vista Road in Temecula. Animal services were also available for residents.
