Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 2:19
A brush fire that erupted Tuesday afternoon near the Santa Rosa Plateau in Murrieta has been partially contained as crews work through challenging heat and dry conditions. The Volcano Fire, which broke out around 2:50 p.m. near Via Volcano and Tenaja Road in the unincorporated community of La Cresta, prompted evacuations that have since been largely lifted. Residences are spread throughout the area on large lots, sometimes several acres wide, mostly off of dirt roads.
By Wednesday evening, the fire had burned 144 acres and reached 45% containment, according to Cal Fire. Earlier mapping showed 137 acres. The fire was reported at 138 acres Wednesday morning, with nearly 50% containment, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. More than 200 personnel, 29 engines, and multiple aircraft have been assigned. At its peak, nearly 190 firefighters, three helicopters and more than 40 firefighting vehicles were assigned to the incident. At the height of the brush fire, four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were making runs on it, but by nightfall Tuesday all fixed-wing aircraft had cleared the location; they did not return Wednesday morning, but several choppers continued targeted drops. The fire is burning in medium brush and steep terrain, with crews focused on strengthening containment lines and extinguishing hot spots. Crews made great progress on Wednesday extending lines and hitting hotspots, and continued to work through the night assisted by night flying helicopters. On Thursday, crews continued to strengthen containment lines and mop up heavy deposit areas in the steep terrain. Firefighters are expected to remain on-scene throughout Thursday and Thursday evening. As of Friday morning, due to more accurate mapping, the fire is now 138 acres and 70% contained. By Friday evening, containment increased to 90%. By Saturday, the fire was 90% contained, according to authorities. As of Sunday morning, no change in acreage or containment was reported. As of Sunday, July 12, no change in acreage or containment was reported. As of Sunday evening, the fire reached 95% containment, with 138 acres burned, according to Cal Fire. On Monday, July 13, crews continued to improve and secure control lines, with no change in acreage or containment. As of July 10 at 6:01 PM, the fire remained at 138 acres with 90% containment, and 158 personnel were assigned, including 26 engines, 5 hand crews, and 1 other resource.
Evacuation orders were reduced to warnings for most areas Wednesday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, warnings remained in zones including RVC-2146, while a single order persisted for the 117-Volcano Fire Perimeter. By Thursday afternoon, the evacuation warning for zone RVC-2146 was also lifted, leaving only an evacuation order for the 117-Volcano Fire Perimeter. An evacuation center at Chaparral High School in Temecula remains open, along with a large animal shelter at Murrieta Equestrian Center. Roads previously closed—Tenaja Road, Los Gatos Drive, and Carancho Road—are no longer listed as hard closures. Sheriff's deputies shut down Tenaja west of Via Volcano for public safety. As of Friday evening, all evacuation warnings have been lifted. By Saturday, the evacuation order and warning were lifted.
Southern California is experiencing an extended heat wave, with temperatures in the Antelope Valley reaching 105–107°F and humidity dropping to 5–15%. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Tuesday and an extreme heat watch through July 16. These conditions elevate fire risk across valleys, mountains, and deserts. Brief critical fire weather is expected across all valleys, mountains and deserts with enhanced vertical plume growth potential on active or new wildfires. Sundowner winds are expected Wednesday evening across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Much of the region will face elevated fire risk even as the chance for monsoonal storms builds over the weekend, with a 10% to 20% chance of monsoonal showers and thunderstorms starting as early as Sunday and lasting into the following weekend. Most storm activity will remain localized over the mountains and deserts, but there is a small risk that storms could reach valleys and coastal areas. The Volcano Fire is one of several recent blazes, including the Bear fire (543 acres) in San Luis Obispo County.
The area near the Volcano Fire also burned in 2019 during the Tenaja Fire, which scorched 1,000 acres. The current fire is burning adjacent to the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, a popular hiking destination. No structures have been reported lost. Two firefighters fell ill from possible heat exhaustion and dehydration Wednesday morning and were expected to be taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment; no other injuries have been recorded. Damage-assessment teams were combing property for structural damage, but as of midday Wednesday, there were no reports of burned homes, Clingingsmith said. The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Clingingsmith urged residents to continue to clear brush and other flammable material away from their homes but to do so with caution. Statewide, he said, there has been an increase in accidental fires ignited by a spark during brush clearance, such as when a lawnmower strikes a rock. He said residents should do that work in the cooler parts of the day and have water and tools nearby in case a fire starts. The Murrieta, Corona and Pechanga fire departments, as well as Cal Fire personnel from San Diego and San Bernardino counties, assisted with the firefight. The latest update from Cal Fire on July 10 reported one firefighter injury, no civilian injuries, and no fatalities. Cooperating agencies include Murrieta Fire Department, Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Riverside County Sheriff, CAL FIRE San Diego, and Cleveland National Forest.
Firefighters continue to make progress on the Volcano Fire, with full containment expected in the coming days. Residents should remain alert for changing conditions and follow official evacuation guidance. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
