Evacuation order lifted as firefighters make progress against Southern California blaze
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Firefighters reported some progress in containing a blaze in Southern California, where mandatory evacuations were lifted Friday.
High humidity overnight helped temper the Tenaja Fire, which had threatened homes near Murrieta and La Cresta, southeast of Los Angeles, officials said. It remained at about 3-square-miles and 20% containtment, but Cal Fire officials said they expect the blaze to be fully contained by Tuesday.
"Residents may continue to see smoke," Riverside County's emergency management department said. “Remember, use caution, fire resources are still working in the area."
Campuses in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District remained closed Friday due to the fire, officials said on the school system's website.
The fire broke out about 4 p.m. Wednesday, possibly from a lightning strike in La Cresta, a community of multimillion-dollar estates near Murrieta. It grew quickly as gusty winds arose Thursday afternoon.
Evacuations expanded: Southern California fire grows to 2,000 acres
Cal Fire officials said Thursday evening that one firefighter had received non-life-threatening injuries and nearly 900 personnel were battling the blaze.
While mandatory evacuation orders were lifted, officials said some residents remain under an evacuation warning.
Murrieta Mesa High School was set up as an evacuation center and received 12 people Wednesday night and 15 on Thursday, Emily Cox, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Desert to Sea Region, said Friday.
"We are evaluating the needs of the residents to determine if we need to stay open for another night," she said.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services opened its shelters to care for pets of evacuees, but as of Friday none had been received, spokesman John Welsh said.
Tenaja Fire: Privately contracted firefighters keep eye on well-insured homes
As the fire continued to burn, fire crews and police watched over areas that had been evacuated.
“I’m thinking I’m very happy that my house is still standing,” Marian Couperthwaite told Fox 11 after returning home Friday morning.
“I’m very sad that my garden is so badly burnt. My hot tub is gone, but we are alive, my dog is alive, and the house is standing,” she said.
Meanwhile, another blaze grew in a remote area at the northern end of the state.
A lightning-sparked fire in Tehama County about 25 miles west of the city of Red Bluff grew to more than 9 square miles, with only 5% containment. Evacuations were ordered for scattered rural properties.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow Sherry Barkas on Twitter: @TDSSherryBarkas
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California wildfire: Evacuation order lifted for Tenaja Fire
