Riverside County ‘Tenaja Fire’ inches toward 100 acres, sparks evacuations

A rapidly spreading fire in Riverside County sparked evacuation orders amid an “immediate threat to life,” according to Cal Fire Riverside County .

The blaze, dubbed the “Tenaja Fire,” was first reported at 11:48 a.m. Sunday. In the hours since, it quickly spread to 99.5 acres in size as of 2:51 p.m.

It was burning in Lake Elsinore in an area south of Ortega Highway off of Tenaja Truck Trail. Ortega Highway was closed in both directions.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in the area of Tenaja Truck Trail. The evacuation shelter is located at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore, located at 32593 Riverside Drive.

While small animals were welcomed at Lakeside High School, larger animals were being accepted at San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S. Grand Avenue in San Jacinto.

As of 2:51 p.m., no injuries were reported and no structures were burned.

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