Crews were working Friday to expand containment lines around a 145-acre wildfire in the Cleveland National Forest west of Lake Elsinore, where mandatory evacuations remained in effect and a highway linking Orange and Riverside counties remained closed.
The non-injury “Macy Fire” was reported at 5:42 p.m. Thursday in the vicinity of the El Cariso Campground, north of the Ortega (74) Highway, just west of Macy Street, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, the blaze was estimated at 145 acres, with 15% containment. More than 200 firefighters from the county, U.S. Forest Service and surrounding agencies were working to establish a line around the brusher.
The Ortega (74) Highway was shut down in both directions between the Orange County line and Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday after the flames jumped the two-lane corridor and began burning along the southbound side.
CHP officers on Friday were trying to arrange escorts in and out of the closure area for residents who have proof of identification showing they have properties there.
Several Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters were making drops in support of ground crews Friday. The blaze was concentrated in steep terrain, inaccessible to most firefighting vehicles.
The flames broke out on a hillside and made a run downhill at a “dangerous rate of spread,” heading directly toward residences alongside the federal preserve, according to the department.
Five Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters immediately initiated runs on the blaze, making drops for the protection of homes in the fire’s path.
One structure was lost.
An evacuation order was issued for all properties north of the Ortega, south of El Cariso Truck Trail, Lancashire and Toft drives, east of North Main Divide Road and west of Macy, Dreycott Way and Lakeview Avenue.
An evacuation center was established at Elsinore High School at 21800 Canyon Drive in Wildomar.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.