TENAJA FIRE ENGULFS MURRIETA AREA IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY; 2,000 EVACUATE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Tenaja Fire, Southern Calif. Edison webcam

September 5, 2019 (Riverside County) – The fast-moving Tenaja Fire that started just before 4 p.m. yesterday near Tenaja Rd. and Clinton Keith Road in south Riverside County’s La Cresta community has swelled to over 2,000 acres, causing mandatory evacuation of around 2,000 homes in La Cresta and Murrieta, KTLA reports this evening. 

The Fire is seven percent contained, according to Cal Fire.  

For a complete list of road closures, click here. 

Riverside County officials have issued a health warning, urging people to limit time outdoors due to smoke and ash. 

Hundreds of firefighters continue to battle the blaze amid hot, humid conditions and high winds.

Cause of the fire is not yet known.

School Closures:

• All Murrieta Valley Unified School District school sites were closed Friday due to the Tenaja Fire. These closures include preschool and extracurricular activities.
• The Romoland School District canceled classes Friday due to the mass amount of smoke. Schools there were expected to reopen Monday.
• The Lake Elsinore Unified School District cancelled classes for Friday. An update was expected before Monday.
• The Menifee Union School District announced classes would be cancelled on Friday.
• The Perris Elementary School District said school would be cancelled on Friday.

The Temecula Valley Unified School District announced schools would remain open Friday, officials said.

Care centers:

• A care center has been set up at Murrieta Mesa High School, 24801 Monroe Avenue. Small animals are being accepted at the center.
• Large animals can be taken to San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Avenue. Horse trailers can be taken to the Los Alamos Sports Park, which is at 37000 Ruth Ellen Way.