Brush Fire in Lake Elsinore Closes Ortega Highway

Photo courtesy of Cal Fire Riverside

By City News Service

The Ortega Highway remained closed early Thursday as 280 firefighters battled a brush fire in steep terrain above Lake Elsinore.

The fire was reported in the El Cariso area, near the Lookout Restaurant in the 32100 block of the highway around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Although the fire had been prevented from spreading, steep terrain was hampering efforts at containment, Calfire Riverside County spokeswoman April Newman said.

A vehicle collision was reported in the same area soon after the fire started, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Mike Vasquez said.

Two people were in the vehicle and one had to be rescued at the scene, Vasquez said.

It was not clear whether the vehicle crash and the fire were connected, Vasquez said.

The fire had burned five acres with 15 per cent containment at 10:30 p.m.Wednesday, Newman said.

A structure was threatened, but not burned, Newman said.

No injuries had been reported and 283 firefighters were on scene, Newman said.

The highway was scheduled to re-open at 7 a.m., according to the CHP.