Evacuation Orders Issued for Thousands in Southern California as Santa Ana Winds Aggravate Wildfire

On Monday, a wildfire, intensified by strong Santa Ana winds, swept across rural territory southeast of Los Angeles, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents, according to fire officials.

The blaze, known as the Highland Fire, ignited around 12:45 p.m. in the arid, brush-covered hills proximate to the unincorporated area of Aguanga in Riverside County.

By late Monday evening, the fire had engulfed an estimated area of 2 square miles (about 5 square kilometers), stated fire spokesperson Jeff LaRusso.

LaRusso confirmed that evacuation orders had been issued for around 1,300 residences, affecting 4,000 residents.

So far, the wildfire has led to the destruction of three structures and inflicted damage on six additional ones, although it remains uncertain whether any of these were residential homes. LaRusso indicated that the affected area is not densely populated, but does contain horse ranches as well as a significant mobile home community.

There have been no reported injuries to date.

Wind speeds ranging between 20 and 25 miles per hour (32 to 40 kilometers per hour), with occasional higher gusts, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The winds propelled flames and embers through parched grass and brush, conditions exacerbated by previous winds and low humidity levels, making the landscape “almost like kindling” for the fire, according to LaRusso.

Although the winds are anticipated to moderate overnight, firefighting teams plan to encircle the fire. However, LaRusso cautioned, “Wind trumps everything. Hopefully the forecast holds.”

In response to the wildfire, emergency services deployed a large air tanker, bulldozers, and other resources. This wildfire is among the few large and active ones to have broken out during California’s year-round fire season, added LaRusso.

This incident marks Southern California’s first substantial encounter with Santa Ana winds this season. These strong, hot, dry, and dust-laden winds commonly move towards the Pacific Coast from inland desert areas during autumn and have been the catalyst for some of California’s most extensive and damaging wildfires in recent history.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for extreme fire danger, effective through Tuesday afternoon, for certain areas of Los Angeles and Riverside counties. They forecast that Riverside County could experience wind speeds of 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 kph), with potential gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour (64 kph).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Highland Fire

More about Highland Fire

• National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings
• Riverside County Fire Department Updates
• Southern California Weather Forecasts
• Information on Santa Ana Winds
• California Statewide Fire Incident Reports
• Emergency Evacuation Procedures and Guidelines
• Understanding Wildfire Risks and Causes