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Brush fires in Temecula, Pala test firefighters, travelers, residents

The recent brush fires in Temecula and Pala tested hundreds of firefighters and created havoc for travelers and residents.

The Temecula fire started at approximately 11:40 a.m. Saturday, June 4, along the southbound side of Interstate 15 near Temecula Parkway, just north of the Border Patrol checkpoint.

The fire prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of I-15 at Temecula Parkway, backing up traffic for miles. One lane of northbound I-15 was closed and thick smoke made driving conditions for northbound motorists perilous, slowing traffic dramatically. It wasn't until after 4 p.m. that the California Highway Patrol was able to open up two southbound lanes.

As of the morning of Tuesday, June 7, the Temecula fire had burned more than 139 acres and was 95 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

The Pala fire began Tuesday, May 31, in a two-story home in the 38800 block of Pala Temecula Road. Flames spread from the house to adjacent foliage and began traveling through heavy vegetation on hilly open land at a steady pace.

The fire, east of I-15 and about a mile south of the Riverside County line, grew to about 45 acres and forced approximately 100 people in the area of Temepa Road to temporarily leave their homes.

On the afternoon of Friday, June 3, residents in the Rancho Heights area were ordered to evacuate their homes when brisk winds and hot weather reignited a smoldering burn area and sparked several new smaller fires. Most residents were able to return to their homes Friday evening, however, five to 10 people couldn't return to their residences until Saturday due to the closure of Pala Temecula Road.

In addition to the home, the Pala fire destroyed seven abandoned sheds and scorched 70 acres before being fully contained the morning of Tuesday, June 7. Kendal Bortisser, fire captain for Cal Fire's San Diego Unit, said the cause of the house fire was still under investigation.

 

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