Vista Fire: Blaze Prompts Evacuations Near Lake Elsinore, Chars 180 Acres

Officials said a care-and-reception site was established at Ortega High School in Lake Elsinore for evacuated residents.

By Corey Washington, Patch Staff

Apr 17, 2026 7:01 pm PDT | Updated Apr 17, 2026 7:27 pm PDT

This map shows properties under mandatory evacuation from the Vista Fire in red and under evacuation warning in yellow as of 6:50 p.m. Friday. (Cal Fire)

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Residents were evacuated near the site of a brush fire that broke out Friday near Meadowbrook and charred more than 180 acres, fire officials said.

The blaze was reported around 4:20 p.m. Friday in the area of Vista and Telford avenues and was gradually moving in the direction of Highway 74 as Cal Fire aircraft and ground crews worked to contain it, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Corona Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue and other agencies were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate along low-lying hills west of homes scattered throughout the area.

Around 4:30 p.m., the brush fire charred about 15 acres but quickly spread to more than 180 acres just after 6 p.m.

Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher at 4:40 p.m., enabling crews to establish tentative containment lines on the fire's western flank.

The flames were advancing to the southeast, and there were concerns it might impact Highway 74 if not stopped by nightfall, according to reports from the scene.

Around 6:45 p.m., firefighters were getting a handle on the blaze but containment was not yet established, fire officials said.

This map shows properties under mandatory evacuation from the Vista Fire in red and under evacuation warning in yellow as of 6:50 p.m. Friday. (Cal Fire)

Evacuation orders were issued for zones LSN1407 and RVC1408, and evacuation warnings were issued for zones RVC1406, RVC1409, RVC1410, RVC1272, RVC1274, RVC1535, LSN1533 and LSN1533, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

It was unknown exactly how many residents have been evacuated, fire officials said.

Officials said a care-and-reception site was established at Ortega High School for evacuated residents. Residents were advised large and small animals can be taken to the San Jacinto Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Avenue.

Sheriff's deputies were implementing closures on nearby dirt roads because of people in off-road vehicles interfering with operations.

There was no word on what might have triggered the fire.

City News Service contributed to this report.