A wildfire erupted in the rural area southeast of Los Angeles on Monday, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents in Southern California. The fire, known as the Highland Fire, started around 12:45 p.m. in the dry hills of Riverside County. As of Tuesday morning, the blaze had spread across approximately 2,200 acres without any containment, according to the county fire department.
Evacuation orders were issued on Monday for around 1,300 homes and an estimated 4,000 residents. Jeff LaRusso, a fire spokesman, reported that three buildings were destroyed and six others were damaged, although it remained unclear whether any of them were homes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Over 300 firefighters were called in to battle the flames, which were intensified by Santa Ana winds blowing at speeds of 20 to 25 miles per hour. These winds carried the fire and embers through dry grass and brush, which had been further dried out by recent winds and low humidity. While the affected area is sparsely populated, there are horse ranches and a large mobile home site in the vicinity.
Santa Ana winds, characterized as dry and dust-bearing, frequently originate from inland desert regions and have historically caused large-scale fires in California. The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory until 8 p.m. PDT on Tuesday for several areas near San Bernardino and Riverside County. The advisory warned of winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. The strongest winds were expected in the foothills and adjacent valleys.
Residents have been urged to secure outdoor objects and exercise extra caution while driving. For the latest updates on news, weather, sports, and streaming video, individuals can visit The Hill.
