De Luz Brush Fire Burns At Sandia Creek: Evacuations Lifted, Closures

DE LUZ, CA —A brush fire that erupted Wednesday in the hills west of Temecula scorched just over seven acres and threatened homes, prompting evacuations before it was halted. As of 6 p.m. the Sandia Fire was 95 percent contained, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported.

"Fire resources will remain on scene completing containment lines around the fire," a department spokesperson said. "Please use caution when returning to the area as fire resources work along the roadway."

Shortly before noon, a plume of smoke was reported in the area of Sandia Creek Drive and El Prado Road, in the unincorporated community of De Luz, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Tawny Castro. The wildfire was blowing through the area at a "moderate rate" through thick vegetation, according to reports from the scene. Southwest Riverside County residents could smell the smoke as far away as Murrieta.

Nearly 100 firefighters arrived in multiple engine and hand crews from the county to battle the blaze, including personnel from Rainbow Station and surrounding agencies. Two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter were summoned to make runs on the brusher burning in the area sparsely populated with multi-million dollar homes.

Firefighters initiated mandatory evacuation for 15 homes near Sandia Creek and El Prado, according to officials at the scene. The Red Cross established a temporary evacuation center at Temecula Valley High School during the incident.

None of the properties were damaged.

Firefighters halted the forward rate of spread was stopped before 3 p.m. when the blaze was partially contained.

Sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers shut down Sandia Creek between El Prado to the north and De Anza Road to the south for public safety.

Crews were expected to be on the fire lines until late Wednesday evening, mopping up.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

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