UPDATE: Two Wildland Fires Burning Nearly 500 Acres

FOR AN UPDATE ON THE PALA FIRE.

FOR AN UPDATE ON THE KELLER FIRE.

5:30 p.m. UPDATE: Two wildland fires continue to threaten the area.

The Keller Fire in Winchester has spread to 160 acres, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Cheri Patterson is reporting.

The blaze, which broke out at 1 p.m. today at Baxter and Menifee roads, is 50 percent contained, Patterson reported.

Road closures and evacuations are scheduled to be lifted in the area at 6 p.m.

Scott, Lindenburger, Briggs, Leon and Menifee roads have had closures due to the fire.

Homes and equestrian centers in the area have been under evacuation.

According to Patterson, no structures have burned and there are no reports of injuries.

Nearly 160 personnel are tackling the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Pala Fire, which broke out this morning at 10:30 a.m., has now burned more than 300 acres and is threatening structures in the Rancho Heights area of North San Diego County.

According to reports, the fire has not spread into Riverside County but remains a threat.

Riverside County fire personnel are assisting with efforts. In total, nearly 300 personnel are battling the blaze.

There is zero containment on this fire, which may have been caused by a vehicle that struck a power pole.

According to CHP, there are reports of a white Toyota Camry hitting a power pole and catching fire at Pala-Temecula and Moro roads where the blaze started. The area is on the Pala Indian Reservation.

As of 5 p.m., SDG&E was in the area repairing downed lines.

Earlier today, a reverse 911 precautionary warning was issued to all Pauma Valley residents. According to a Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Department dispatcher, the warning advised residents to take measures to move their livestock and pets out of the area. The dispatcher said the area is home to many horses.

At least one firefighter has sustained heat-related injuries in the Pala Fire.

3:30 p.m. UPDATE: The Keller Fire in Winchester has burned 25 acres.

Eleven homes have been evacuated by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the county's Office of Emergency Services. 

The evacuation area is Briggs at Camino De Los Caballos and Lindenburger and Camino De Los Caballos.

Horses in the area are also being evacuated by Animal Friends of the Valleys/Southwest Communities Animal Shelter.

The Pala Fire has scorched over 200 acres and there is zero containment on the blaze.

ORIGINAL POST: Smoke filling the Temecula and Lake Elsinore valleys is being blamed on two wildland fires burning out of control.

The largest blaze, being called the Pala Fire, has scorched 200 acres near the Riverside County line in the Pauma Valley.

The blaze started near Pala-Temecula and Moro roads on the Pala Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley at approximately 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Currently, the fire has been held to North County San Diego and has not crossed into Riverside County.

A reverse 911 precautionary warning was issued to all Pauma Valley residents. According to a Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Department dispatcher, the warning is advising residents to take measures to move their livestock and pets out of the area. The dispatcher said the area is home to many horses.

The fire is burning northward and to the southeast, the dispatcher said. No structures have burned.

As of 2 p.m., one firefighter sustained heat-related injuries but was not transported, she said.

Between 200 and 300 personnel are tackling the blaze, which is a multi-agency effort, the dispatcher said. Airpower is also on the fire.

According to the dispatcher, wind and hot weather are making it difficult to fight the blaze.

A second fire that erupted at Baxter and Menifee roads in Winchester at 1 p.m. Monday has scorched 20 acres and is spreading.

One-hundred-and-seventeen firefighters are tackling that blaze, being called the Keller Fire, with help from overhead personnel.

More updates to follow …