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Brush Fire Burns About 55 Acres Near Hemet, Evacuations Ordered

Aerial and ground crews are conducting repeated suppression runs to protect scattered homes from the spreading blaze.

Overview

  • The Taffle Fire began in the Taffle Ranch Road area of unincorporated Sage and has charred roughly 55 acres with containment reported at about 5 percent by county fire authorities.
  • Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for zones RVC-1912 and RVC-1979 and warnings were posted for residences and ranches east of Oak Drive, north of Taffle Ranch and south of Red Mountain.
  • A reception and care center is open at Hemet High School to receive displaced residents and ranch households.
  • CAL FIRE and the Riverside County Fire Department deployed multiple engine and hand crews plus five air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters to slow the fire and keep it south of Red Mountain and east of Oak Drive.
  • No injuries or property damage have been reported so far and investigators are working to determine the cause; officials say updates on containment, acreage and evacuation orders could change as crews continue operations.