Lightning, Wind Concerns On 5,222-Acre Nixon Fire East Of Temecula

UPDATE: Cal Fire Announces Cause Of 5,222-Acre Fire East Of Temecula

AGUANGA, CA — The Nixon Fire burning east of Temecula was mapped at 5,222 acres with 21% containment as of Friday morning.

Authorities said evacuation orders and warnings remain in place, and the weather is a concern over the next several days.

"Overnight, the fire has moderated and strong work by firefighters has kept the fire within the existing perimeter," according to a morning update from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. "Crews continue to construct and reinforce containment lines around the fire. The monsoonal weather pattern may produce lightning and increased winds, creating potential for increased fire activity. Firefighters will continue to work aggressively to gain additional control throughout the day."

The National Weather Service reported Friday there is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains into the high desert with strong gusty winds, lightning, and brief heavy rainfall possible.

Conditions will be drier Saturday through Monday, but the area where the fire is burning will be under an Excessive Heat Watch from 10 a.m. Aug. 3 through 11 p.m. Aug. 6. Throughout the four-day stretch, daytime temperatures will surpass 100 degrees and overnight lows will cool to only the mid-70s, according to the NWS.

The blaze, which broke out at 12:28 p.m. July 29 in the area of Richard Nixon Boulevard and Tule Peak Road, south of Highway 371, in Aguanga, was burning in rugged terrain along the Riverside/San Diego county line near the Beauty Mountain Wilderness area, the fire department said.

It is expected to burn for several more days.

Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Friday. The areas under evacuation can be found here.

"Residents within the fire area are reminded to pay attention to evacuation warnings and orders," the fire department said.

An evacuation center at Temecula Valley High School closed at 7 a.m. Friday, but a reception and care center opened at 9 a.m. Friday at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road in Anza. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Officials reported Thursday that four structures were destroyed in the fire, while another 1,783 were threatened.

Hundreds of personnel are assigned to the blaze, which is being fought by ground and air, according to Cal Fire.

Deputies shut down Tule Valley Road south of Tule Peak for public safety. Highways 371 and 79 remain open.

Check back for updates.