A brush fire that erupted Thursday on a hillside just west of Lake Elsinore scorched more than 100 acres, but firefighters are working to increase containment lines near homes abutting the Cleveland National Forest.
The Macy Fire was reported at 5:42 p.m. in the vicinity of the El Cariso Campground, north of the Ortega (74) Highway, just west of Macy Street on the west end of Lake Elsinore, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. As of 10 a.m. Friday, the blaze was estimated at 145 acres, with 15% containment.
Highway 74 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.
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Five Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters immediately initiated runs on the brusher, making drops for the protection of homes in the fire's path, according to reports from the scene.
Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings Friday. The warning applied to 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.
#MacyFire [UPDATE] p.m. - The fire has been mapped at 134 acres and remains 0% contained.
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) July 26, 2024
All EVACUATION ORDER remain in place at this time.
A searchable map of the evacuation area is available at https://t.co/PDAXaQ7bZl
The evacuation center was MOVED to Elsinore High… pic.twitter.com/yUYIZf7a9r
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With nightfall approaching, sundowner winds in the area were expected to abate, giving crews an opportunity to begin digging containment lines. A night-flying helicopter was summoned to make water drops in support of ground crews, while the air tankers and day-restricted choppers were preparing to clear the scene.
There was no immediate word regarding how the blaze might have started.
