Ortega Highway Remains Closed Due To Brush Fire

EL CARISO, CA — The evacuation order for the Macy Fire west of Lake Elsinore was downgraded early Friday afternoon to an evacuation warning, and containment on the 145-acre blaze had reached 30%, but the Ortega Highway remained closed in both directions.

While residents were being allowed back into their homes, "high heat, low humidity, and strong winds pose challenges" for firefighters, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. "Please use caution as fire resources continue working in the area."

Visit http://linktr.ee/calfirerru for a map of the evacuation area.

Grand Avenue reopened in both directions, but the Ortega Highway was closed from Grand to South Main Divide.

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Alex Izaguirre, there was no word on when the highway would reopen. In addition to ongoing fire risk, possible damage to utility infrastructure and the roadway are being assessed, he said early Friday afternoon.

The fire destroyed one structure. There were no reports of any injuries.

It was initially announced that an evacuation center was open at Lakeside High School, but the location was moved to Elsinore High School, 21800 Canyon Drive in Wildomar.

"Fire resources will remain on the scene throughout the day, constructing a containment line in the very steep, rugged terrain," Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported Friday morning.

The fire broke out around 5:42 p.m. Thursday near the El Cariso Campground, north of the Ortega (74) Highway, just west of Macy Street.

The fire department said multiple engine and hand crews from the county and U.S. Forest Service were sent to the location and encountered flames running downhill at a "dangerous rate of spread," heading directly toward residences alongside the federal preserve.

There was no immediate word regarding how the blaze started.