Macy Fire near Lake Elsinore at 134 acres; homes threatened, evacuations ordered
A brush fire that erupted on Thursday evening on a hillside just west of Lake Elsinore scorched 134 acres within hours and threatened homes abutting the Cleveland National Forest, prompting mandatory evacuation orders.
The non-injury “Macy Fire” was reported at 5:42 p.m. in the vicinity of the El Cariso Campground, north of the Highway 74, just west of Macy Street on the west end of Lake Elsinore, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
At 9:13 p.m., the fire department said it remained 0% contained.
When they first got to the fire, multiple engine and hand crews from the county, U.S. Forest Service, Orange County Fire Authority and other agencies encountered flames running 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 brusher, making drops for the protection of homes in the fire’s path, according to reports from the scene.
At 6:50 p.m., the flames jumped the highway, burning along both sides near a turnout known as the “Candy Store,” according to officials.
Macy Fire evacuation orders
An evacuation order was issued for all properties south of Grand Avenue, east of Fairview Street and west of the Ortega. An evacuation center was set up at Elsinore High School, 21800 Canyon Drive in Wildomar.
Macy Fire road closures
California Highway Patrol officers and county sheriff’s deputies fully shut down Highway 74 in both directions between San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore. Motorists were being turned around from where they came for public safety.
The county fire department said the road was expected to remain closed overnight into at least Friday morning.
Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore was also closed between Macy and the highway due to the amount of traffic clogging the corridor.
Macy Fire weather forecast
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.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Macy Fire Thursday update: Size, homes threatened, evacuation orders
