Pauba Fire: Wildfire near Temecula spreads to 101 acres, 5% contained

A brush fire that broke out Friday on a hillside east of Temecula charred an estimated 101 acres and left two firefighters injured, drawing close to a campground where people were issued an evacuation warning, along with the immediate surroundings.

The Pauba Fire was reported at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Pauba and Los Caballos roads, north of Highway 79, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Rob Roseen, a Cal Fire public information officer, said Friday night that firefighters had stopped the forward rate spread. It was 5% contained and crews planned to stay at the scene overnight to build containment lines, Cal Fire said on X at 8:50 p.m.

The agency said engine and hand crews from the county, Hemet Fire Department, San Diego County Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving to the southeast at a moderate rate.

Multiple Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were summoned to make runs on the brusher, which had slowed by 3 p.m.

Two firefighters collapsed while digging containment lines around the hill, suffering apparent heat stroke, according to reports from the scene. They were both in stable condition and taken to a regional trauma center for treatment.

Fire department commanders issued an evacuation order for the area around Vail Lake, but later downgraded it to a warning. Previous evacuation warnings were still in effect, which include the area north of Highway 79, south of Avenida Bravura, east of Anza Road, and west of Sage and Wilson Creek.

Searchable maps depicting the impacted locations were available at https://linktr.ee/calfirerru .

Sheriff's deputies closed Pauba between Highway 79 to the south and De Portola Road to the north for public safety. The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known.

Cal Fire said accommodations were being set up for people and animals forced to leave their homes or campsites:

• A care and reception center has been established at Temecula Valley High School: 31555 Rancho Vista Rd, Temecula, CA 92592.
• RVs and campers can go to Lake Skinner Campground: 37701 Warren Rd, Winchester, CA 92596.
• Animal evacuations can be taken to San Jacinto Animal Campus: 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto, CA 92582

Roseen said thunderstorms across California were expected over the weekend and the heat will pose a risk. New fires have the potential to spread rapidly and people should be prepared to leave their homes in a moment's notice, he added.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pauba Fire: Wildfire near Temecula spreads to 101 acres, 5% contained