Murrieta Liberty Fire: Dramatic Photos From Temecula Valley Blaze

MURRIETA, CA — The wind-driven Liberty Fire in the Murrieta region hit hard and fast Thursday afternoon, scorching an estimated 300 acres within about three hours before any containment was established. Within just 30 minutes of the afternoon blaze breaking out, a large smoke plume was visible throughout the Temecula Valley.

As Patch arrived at the scene a wall of flames was cresting a large hill, threatening homes just below on Shannon Lane in the rural city of Murrieta community of Los Alamos Hills. Numerous Cal Fire aircraft fought the fire from above. On the ground, engine crews from Murrieta, Temecula, Canyon Lake and several other neighboring Riverside County fire departments positioned themselves on or near properties to provide structure defense for the homes that dot the windy, unpaved road.

Meanwhile, law enforcement personnel from Murrieta Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff's Department manned roadblocks along Los Alamos Road. Yet others were tasked with evacuating residents. They hurriedly helped corral horses into trailers before leading the residents and their livestock out to safety.

Traffic backed up on surrounding Murrieta roadways as more and more fire engine crews and law enforcement officials and volunteers continued rushing to the scene — their goal being to provide whatever form of assistance they could.

Attached to this article you'll find our images from within the first hour that the blaze was burning. Be sure to follow all our updates on the fire's size, containment and more in our main story here.

Photos by Maggie Avants/Patch

Have your own pictures of the fire to share with Patch? Send them to renee.schiavone@patch.com if you'd like them included in a photo round-up.