Fire in La Cresta spreads smoke, ash for miles

Smoke and ash filled the air in Menifee from the Tenaja fire near Santa Rosa Plateau. Photo by Jo Ellen Kano

Story updated at 7 a.m.:

Air quality suffered throughout Southwest Riverside County Wednesday night as a fire fueled by heat, winds and dense brush continued to spread in the La Cresta community in the hills west of Murrieta.

The Santa Rosa Plateau Visitors Center on Clinton Keith Road was evacuated, along with residences on La Trails Circle in La Cresta. The fire, first reported at 3:56 p.m., had spread to 1,400 acres and was 7 percent contained by 7 a.m. Thursday, according to Cal Fire officials.

Schools in the Menifee Union School District, Romoland School District, Perris Union High School District and Santa Rosa Academy will be open Thursday, according to school officials.

A care and reception center was established at Murrieta Mesa High School, located at 24801 Monroe Avenue. Small animals are being accepted at the care and reception center. Large Animals can be taken to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 S. Grand Ave. San Jacinto.

At 10 p.m., mandatory evacuations were issued to residents in Copper Canyon South of Calle del Oso Oro between Clinton Keith and Murrieta Creek.

Flames from the Tenaja Fire are seen not far behind homes in La Cresta. Photo courtesy of Cal Fire