Holy Fire At 18,137 Acres: 'We Cannot Get Ahead Of The Fire'

UPDATE 7 A.M. FRIDAY: The Holy Fire is now 18,137 acres and is still just five percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service just announced via Twitter.

"For those wondering about containment, the hand/containment line grows as the fire grows," officials said. "We continue to actively engage, but cannot get ahead of the fire."

As of right now, evacuations remain as stated just below, and school closures are still planned. At least one structure burned overnight off the Ortega Highway.

Here's a brief update from the U.S. Forest Service issued Friday morning:

Containment lines continue to be constructed and developed around the fire utilizing both air and ground resources. High temperatures with low humidity is expected over the next several days, which may hinder firefighting efforts. One firefighter was reported injured yesterday.

Extreme fire behavior was observed to the north and east portions of the fire. Steep terrain, dry fuels, and inaccessible areas continue to be a factor in fire spread. Suppression efforts are focused on community defense, and limiting the spread south towards Hwy 74.

The number of structures burned remains 12. Structure assessments will be conducted today in the affected areas. More than 20,000 people have been placed under mandatory evacuations with numerous others under evacuations warning. Residents are asked to evacuate as early as possible so as not to hinder firefighting operations.

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UPDATE 10 P.M. THURSDAY: The Holy Fire continues to rage on late Thursday night, and at least one structure has burned off the Ortega Highway. Below, find the latest on closures and the incident via the U.S. Forest Service.

New Mandatory Evacuations:

• All homes on the mountainside of Lake St and southwest of Grand Ave to the Ortega Highway.

Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for:

• Holy Jim, Trabuco Canyon Recreation Residence Tracts, Blue Jay and Falcon Campgrounds, McVicker Canyon, Rice Canyon, El Cariso Village, Rancho Capistrano, Horsethief Canyon, Glen Eden Canyon, and Sycamore Creek. Road closures will continue until evacuation orders are lifted.

Voluntary evacuations are in effect for the Shoreline community.

There are two evacuation centers open for residents in both Orange and Riverside Counties.

• Riverside: Temescal Canyon High School, CA 92532 for residents
• Orange County: San Juan Hills High School located at 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano.

The fire is currently estimated at 10,236 acres and is just five percent contained. More than 1,200 people are assigned to the incident.

"The fire was active [today] on the eastern side and moved downslope to the I-15 corridor in several canyons," the U.S. Forest Service said late Thursday night. "Fire activity remained active north and southwest of the El Cariso Village... Air tankers returned to base when visibility was too poor to fly, but returned once skies cleared. The night shift crews continue to construct and strengthen line to protect neighborhoods."

All schools in the Menifee Unified School District in Riverside County were closed Thursday due to poor air quality caused by the fire, and the campuses will remain shuttered Friday. The Perris Union High School District will also be closed Friday.

• SEE ALSO: How to Talk to the Kids About the Fire: Therapist Thursday

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Riverside and Orange counties Thursday due to the effects of the fire, allowing the state Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to the counties.

The proclamation also waives various requirements for state agencies to procure materials, goods and services to assist with the response and recovery from the impacts of the fire, suspends the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits for people who have lost their jobs because of the fire, allows people who have lost their driver's license, vehicle registration certificate or certificate of title for their vehicles because of the fire to get free replacements and to get free replacements of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates destroyed by the fire.

The Holy Fire Joint Information Center is available to take calls from the public. The phone numbers are (714) 628-7085 and (714) 573-6210

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UPDATE 4 P.M.: Officials on Thursday expanded evacuation orders related to the massive Holy Fire burning near Lake Elsinore. There are now both mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders in place.

Voluntary evacuations have been ordered in the Shoreline community of Lake Elsinore, south of Grand Avenue between Ortega Highway and Garner Road, stretching to South Main Divide Road.

Mandatory evacuations were expanded to include the Machado Area, as highlighted in the maps below. (Click here for a larger version.)

Other mandatory evacuations previously listed remain in effect.

SEE ALSO: RivCo Warns Of Dangers Of Cleaning Up 'Toxic' Ash From Holy Fire

VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS are in effect for the Shoreline community- area in pink pic.twitter.com/UZ8GepvjMh
— Cleveland NF (@ClevelandNF) August 9, 2018

...PREVIOUS UPDATES BELOW...

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LAKE ELSINORE, CA — As the Holy Fire continued to burn through the night, with ominous flames visible on the ridges around Lake Elsinore, mandatory evacuations remained in place. More than 7,000 homes are affected by the evacuation orders, according to the city of Lake Elsinore. Schools nearby are cancelled.

The latest estimates put the fire at 9,614 acres and just five percent containment.

"Firefighters continue to battle the blaze around the clock," officials with the Cleveland National Forest said on Twitter. "We expect favorable weather conditions this weekend to help these efforts."

As of Thursday morning, the following mandatory evacuations remained:

• Sycamore Creek
• Rice Canyon
• McVicker
• Horse Thief Canyon
• Indian Hills/Glen Eden
• El Cariso Village
• Rancho Capistrano
• Blue Jay
• Mayhew Canyon

Cold Water - Painted Hills was not under mandatory evacuation.

Highway 74, known as the Ortega Highway, remains closed between Orange and Riverside counties. The closure limits are from Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore to Nichols Institute in Orange County, according to the CHP.

Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson shared the following on Facebook on Thursday at 6:30 a.m.:

I know many of you are anxiously waiting an update here is what I know.

I was out last night until the Early hours of this morning. As of right now evacuation orders are still in place. I was in the canyon last night and asking the fire captains questions in which the graciously answered here is what I compiled:

• Fire was Slow moving
• Although the fire box was bigger still had wind flavor
• The humidity helped up to 50 percent
• Cooler temps helped
• No homes were threatened through the night or in a path of concern
• We did have a night flying helicopter most of the evening supporting the operation at McVicker and Rice Canyon.
• The fire behavior is consistent with what firefighters were expecting through night.

Law enforcement
I did a few hours in a ride along in evacuation hours to ensure that evacuated homes are secure. No reported burglaries or looting was found to be factual.As many of you know this fire is confirmed arson and the they have the man in custody from OC.
Please stay inside air quality is terrible. Again no structures in the path of destruction and they are hitting it hard today.
More info to follow as the new command asses this morning and plans
There is a public information meeting planned tonight. Please see community meeting information.

Community Meeting

A community meeting is planned at 6 p.m. Thursday to provide the latest updates on the Holy Fire. It's happening at Pins N Pockets in Lake Elsinore, 32250 Mission Trail.

School Closures

According to emergency personnel in Riverside County, "drifting smoke and ash from the fire has prompted several school districts to postpone classes for health reasons."

All schools in Perris Union High School District, Menifee Union School District and Romoland School District are closed Thursday.

"There are several schools within the Lake Elsinore Unified School District within the evacuation area that are closed," RivCo Ready officials said. "Check with your local school district's website for updates."

We will continue to provide updates on the Holy Fire here. Be sure to refresh for the latest on this breaking news story.

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Image 1 by U.S. Forest Service, Image 2 by Mark Ritter shows the Holy Fire near Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, Aug. 8.