Ortega Highway Remains Closed After Brush Fire Erupts In Lake Elsinore
LAKE ELSINORE (CBSLA.com) — A stretch of the Ortega Highway remained closed Thursday while firefighters continued to battle a brush fire that erupted above Lake Elsinore.
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, a fire was reported in the 32100 block of the highway in the El Cariso area, near the Lookout Restaurant, according to California Highway Patrol.
According to the city officials, a vehicle went over the side of Ortega Highway near the "Candy Store" located between Lake Elsinore and the Orange County line.
As a result, a small brush fire erupted and the highway was shut down between Grand Avenue and Antonio on the Orange County side.
Firefighters said structures were threatened by the flames, but were not burned.
No injuries were reported.
As of 8:30 a.m., the fire had burned across five acres. Crews have been able to contain 40 percent of the blaze.
CHP officers began running escorts from Riverside County to Orange County, between Grand Avenue and "Main Divide," around this morning.
Ortega Highway is scheduled to re-open at 2 p.m. to the public.