Wind-driven fire near Aguanga at 3,750 acres
A wind-driven brush fire that erupted on Monday south of Highway 371 in Aguanga quickly scorched roughly 3,700 acres and damaged structures. But it grew only slightly overnight, with firefighters estimating its size as 3,750 acres as of 7:51 a.m. Tuesday.
The Nixon Fire was near the mountains along the boundary separating Riverside and San Diego counties.
The fire was reported at 12:28 p.m. Monday in the area of Richard Nixon Boulevard and Tule Peak Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was still at 0% containment as of Tuesday morning.
The agency said numerous engine and hand crews — numbering over 250 personnel — from the county, Cal FireSan Diego County and other agencies were fighting it. When the first crews arrived Monday, they encountered flames burning at a “dangerous rate” to the southeast through medium brush.
There were reports from the scene of several structures damaged, but it was unclear whether those were only outbuildings, or included homes.
Winds shifted due to the hilly terrain, complicating firefighting efforts. Ground crews were spread out, trying to establish structure protection lines. Properties in the remote location are spaced acres apart.
Shortly after 4 p.m., the blaze spread into the 2,300-acre burn scar from the Bonny Fire that crews battled for over a week last July and August in Aguanga. With little fuel in the scar, the Nixon Fire lost momentum on one flank but continued to accelerate toward Iron Spring Mountain, lying on the boundary separating Riverside and San Diego counties.
The wilderness area is under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Nixon Fire evacuations, road closures, where to get help
An evacuation order was implemented for areas north of Cooper Cienega Trail, south of Bailey Road, east of Holly Ann and west of Terwilliger Road.
An evacuation center was established at Temecula Valley High School, 31-555 Rancho Vista Road.
Sheriff’s deputies closed multiple roads, most of them dirt and gravel, throughout the fire zone.
There was no immediate word regarding how the blaze started.
Nixon Fire: Smoke advisory issued for Coachella Valley, Anza area
Southern California air regulators have issued a smoke advisory through at least midnight on Tuesday due to the fire.
Afternoon winds are expected to continue to push colossal plumes of smoke northeast toward the Coachella Valley, the Cahuilla Reservation and the San Jacinto Mountains, based on satellite and camera imagery.
Air quality may reach “very unhealthy” or higher in areas immediately adjacent to the blaze, including the Anza area, and may reach “unhealthy” or higher in, the Coachella Valley, Hemet, San Jacinto and eastern Riverside County.
Nixon Fire: Why wildfire smoke is dangerous
Wildfire smoke contains potentially dangerous fine particles, sometimes known known as soot, that can push deep into your lungs. If you are in an area impacted by smoke:
Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter. Avoid vigorous physical activity. Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air.
Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling.
If you must be outside, a properly fit N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection.
City News Service contributed to this report.