Highland Fire burns nearly 2,500-acres in Riverside County, 100% contained

The Highland Fire in Aguanga in Riverside County burned nearly 2,487 acres and after causing thousands to evacuate the area, fire officials say the fire is now 100% containment Monday morning.

Ten structures were destroyed while six have been damaged, and two firefighter injuries have been reported, according to fire officials. Wednesday morning, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department projected full containment of the fire in one week, by Nov. 8.

The fire broke out Monday afternoon in the area of Highlands Road and Aguanga Ranchos Road, near the junction for Highways 79 and 371. Officials say the fast-moving flames are being fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, causing the fire to quickly grow.

As of Tuesday at around 6:45 p.m., officials at the scene reported that the fire had grown to 2,487 acres.  

"We really need these breaks in the weather to really make a hard stand and put these fires to bed," Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots said.  

Around 1,300 homes and 4,000 residents were ordered to evacuate on Monday, according to Jeff LaRusso with the Riverside County Fire Department.

"I actually drove through the flames to get up the hill and out, and that's when I evacuated, pulled the horses and everything out...,"  said Aguanga resident Craig Maciver, who evacuated the area Monday evening and has since returned. 

Evacuation orders, as of Nov.3, remain in place for the area surrounding:

• North of Riverside/San Diego County Line
• East of Crosley Truck Trail 
• South of Cottonwood School Road 
• West of Sorenson Road  

Evacuation warnings as of Nov. 3 are in place for the area surrounding:

• North of Riverside/San Diego County Line 
• East of Sorenson Road 
• South of Highway 371 
• West of Puckit Drive 
• North of Cottonwood School Road extending east to Highway 371 
• East of Crosley Truck Trail 
• South of Wilson Valley Road extending east to Highway 371 
• West of Puckit Drive extending north
• North of Riverside/San Diego County Line 
• East of Vail Lake 
• South of Wilson Valley Road extending west to Vail Lake 
• West of Crosley Truck Trail  

A number of agencies are fighting the fire, including Corona, Hemet and Murrieta fire departments, as well as the U.S. Forest Service. 

A care and reception center has been set up at Great Oak High School, located at 32555 Deer Hollow Way in Temecula, for anyone impacted by the fire. They can take any large animals to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter for care.

Another large vegetation fire, located within Camp Pendleton, could be seen for miles around as large plumes of smoke billowed over the area. 

"Smoke may be visible, but there is currently no threat to personnel or structures," Camp Pendleton officials said on X. 

The fire was said to be burning in the camp's "Whiskey Impact Area," where they traditionally fire live mortars as training exercises.