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Chaparral Fire: Firefighters continue efforts to fully contain 1,427 acre fire

The wildfire that started in rural Murrieta spans both Riverside and San Diego counties.
Credit: Cleveland National Forest Twitter

MURRIETA, Calif. —

Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. final update

Firefighters continued working to fully contain the smoldering remnants of a wildfire that spread over hundreds of acres in San Diego and Riverside counties after erupting over the weekend in rural Murrieta.

As of late Tuesday morning, crews had the burn area of the 1,427-acre blaze, dubbed the Chaparral Fire, about 50% contained, according to Cal Fire.

At midday, authorities lifted all evacuation orders prompted by the fire, allowing residents of neighborhoods north of Tenaja Truck Trail, south of Calle Cielo, east of Calle Collado and west of Calle Be Bietol to return to their homes, the state agency reported.

The blaze, which leveled two structures and left a firefighter with minor injuries, broke out for unknown reasons about 12:45 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Cleveland Forest and Tenaja roads in the Cold Springs area, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

As the flames spread, authorities established a temporary evacuation center at Murrieta Valley High School for those displaced by the fire.

At the height of the blaze, personnel with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, and the Corona and Hemet fire departments -- a contingent of more than 500 firefighters -- battled the blaze on the ground and aboard firefighting airplanes and helicopters.

Further official updates are expected to be posted on Cal Fire San Diego's Twitter feed and on Cal Fire Incident page.

Monday, 3:30 p.m. update

Effective at 4 p.m. Monday, evacuation warnings in Riverside County have been lifted, according to Cal Fire San Diego. Riverside County's evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings. 

San Diego County evacuation orders remain in effect and will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours, the agency added. 

Official updates are expected to be posted on Cal Fire San Diego's Twitter feed and on Cal Fire Incident page.

Monday, 10:27 a.m. update

According to Cal Fire, the Chaparral Fire is now 1,427 acres and 13% contained. All Evacuation ORDERS and  WARNINGS remain in place. 

Official updates are expected to be posted on Cal Fire San Diego's Twitter feed.

Sunday, 8:10 p.m. update

According to Cal Fire, the Chaparral Fire is now 1,500 acres and 13% contained. All Evacuation ORDERS and  WARNINGS remain in place.

According to Cal Fire Public Information Officer Thomas Shoots, there have been some structures lost in the Chaparral Fire. "I believe the destroyed structures are along Margarita Road NW of Cold Springs," Shoots wrote in an email. 

He said he hadn't been to the area yet and access was limited with mostly one-way roads and no cell service.

Official updates are expected to be posted on Cal Fire San Diego's Twitter feed and on Cal Fire Incident page.

Sunday, 7 a.m. update

A brush fire that ignited Saturday afternoon at the edge of the Cleveland National Forest and quickly grew to at least 1,425 acres overnight, 10% containment with evacuation orders and warnings still in place.

The massive wildfire spans both Riverside and San Diego counties. On the San Diego County side, it is burning along Cold Springs Road, northwest of De Luz, near the county line.

Evacuation orders are now in place for those north of Tenaja Truck Trail, south of Calle Cielo, east of Calle Collado and west of Calle Be Bietol, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

See map of updated evacuation orders and warnings here.

Additionally, an evacuation warning is in place for those north of Tenaja Road, west of Calle Pino/Gallop Lane, south of Hombre Lane and west of Cleveland National Forest Road.

"Residents should go now," the fire department said.

A tweet just before 8 p.m. on Saturday gave an update on the evacuation centers for residents and animals

Evacuation Center: open at Murrieta High School - 42200 Nighthawk, Murrieta 92562

Animal Evacuations - Small Animals: Animal Friends of the Valley 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar

Animal Evacuations - Large Animals: San Jacinto Animal Shelter, - 581 S. Grand, San Jacinto

Background

The blaze broke out at around 12:40 p.m. near Tenaja and Cleveland Forest roads and was 0% contained, fire officials said.

The fire, being dubbed the Chaparral Fire, was initially measured at up to 25 acres before exploding in size in just a couple of hours.

Firefighters were battling the flames from the ground and air, including the use of four air tankers. U.S. Forest Service fire crews were assisting the 150 firefighters from Riverside and San Diego counties.

The smoke could be seen from Orange and San Diego counties.

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