Brush Fire Reaches 500 Acres

An out-of-control brush fire in Riverside County had grown to about 500 acres Sunday evening, leading to the voluntary evacuation of about 150 residents and threatening about 100 homes, authorities said.

The fire was reported about 2 p.m. and was burning near Cherry Oaks and Calimesa, about 30 miles west of Palm Springs, said Michelle McClelland, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, including heat exhaustion, authorities said.

“This fire is growing, and now we’re anticipating winds of between 10 to 20 mph,” McClelland said. The fire was fueled by dry scrub oak but officials expected to fully control the flames by Tuesday.

The origin was still under investigation.

The fire was one of several blazes burning in the state as temperatures soared above 100 degrees in some areas.

The wildfire that started two weeks ago in eastern San Diego County was 85% contained. Full containment of the Pines fire was expected Monday evening instead of Sunday as previously predicted, said Forestry Department spokeswoman Audrey Hagen.

The Pines fire has destroyed dozens of homes and burned nearly 62,000 acres since it broke out July 29 near the town of Julian. It spread through parts of Los Coyotes Indian Reservation near the Cleveland National Forest.

The fire started about 60 miles northeast of San Diego when a National Guard helicopter looking for marijuana plants clipped a power line.

More than 35 firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the stubborn blaze, which officials said had claimed 37 homes, 116 outbuildings and 169 vehicles. It was 80% contained Aug. 5 before it jumped a containment line and quickly spread.

Close to 2,500 firefighters remained on the scene, and the cost of fighting the blaze was estimated at more than $16 million.

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were ordered for parts of Pine Hills, North Peak and other areas, but some families were allowed to return to their homes over the weekend. Those who live in the northeast portion of the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation were still being kept away.

Meanwhile, firefighters said they contained the 785-acre Pope fire in Napa County on Saturday afternoon. Officials cited a man suspected of starting the blaze with a spark from his gasoline-powered lawn mower.

No structures were damaged.