The brush fire in Aguanga has grown to nearly 5,000 acres since it erupted on Monday, July 29.
As of Wednesday morning, July 31, the blaze was 5% contained and continuing to moderately grow, said Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a spokesperson for the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. Containment is the percentage of the blaze’s border that officials believe flames won’t extend beyond, because of firefighters’ efforts or natural barriers, such as water bodies or rocks.
The Nixon fire was first reported at 12:28 p.m. Monday near Richard Nixon Boulevard and Tule Peak Road. Wind propelled the blaze quickly toward mountains and along the boundary separating Riverside and San Diego counties.
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Various fire agencies are on site to help battle the blaze using 69 fire engines and seven helicopters. Among those on scene were the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Services and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Evacuations were ordered for homes south of Highway 371, north of the county line, west of Terwillinger Road and east of Foolish Pleasure Road. Officials also issued an evacuation warning to some residents just south of the county line in San Diego County as the fire continued to travel.
Cline De La Rosa said the steep and rugged terrain has been an obstacle.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
