26 Incredible Images Of The Holy Fire As Seen From SWR

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A brush fire that erupted in the Cleveland National Forest near Orange County's Holy Jim Canyon expanded into Riverside County Monday, burning through decades-old vegetation and creating high columns of smoke visible for miles, especially in Southwest Riverside County communities.

The "Holy Fire" was reported about 1:15 p.m., near Holy Jim Canyon and Trabuco Creek roads, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Tony Bommarito, but a spokeswoman for the Cleveland National Forest said it might have been closer to 2 p.m

Initially reported at seven-to-10 acres, the fire raced its way across 75 acres within 30 minutes. As of about 8:15 p.m., the fire had scorched around 4,000 acres and zero containment with a "moderate rate of spread," rolling downhill toward the Main Divide forest road, within sight of south Corona, El Cerrito and Glen Ivy Hot Springs, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

You can read the latest on the fire via our Rancho Santa Margarita Patch site here.

In the meantime, check out the 26 incredible images above that Murrieta photographer Mark Ritter captured on Monday afternoon and shared with Patch! Ritter captured the images from Lake Elsinore and in the Temescal Canyon area.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned that during the overnight and early morning hours, downslope winds could bring smoke into the valleys west and southwest of the fire. Portions of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties were likely to be impacted.

"Air quality may reach unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke," according to an SCAQMD statement.

Have your own amazing shot to share? Email renee.schiavone@patch.com to be included with our next roundup.

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All images courtesy: Mark Ritter / City News Service contributed to this report