Wildfire Prompts Emergency Evacuations in Southern California

As of Tuesday evening, 187 personnel, 34 engines, four helicopters, four dozers, three water tenders and four crews were assigned to the fire.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 7/8/2026, 3:33:38 AM EDT

Wildfire Prompts Emergency Evacuations in Southern California — File photo of a fire truck. (Stefani Reynolds /AFP via Getty Images)

A fast-moving wildfire ignited Tuesday afternoon in an unincorporated area of Murrieta, California, forcing residents under mandatory evacuation orders and prompting a massive multi-agency response as firefighters scrambled to keep the blaze from reaching nearby homes.

The Volcano Fire broke out at approximately 2:52 p.m. near Via Volcano and Tenaja Road in the La Cresta community, according to CAL FIRE. By Tuesday evening, the fire had burned 78 acres and was only 10 percent contained, with its cause still under investigation.

An emergency evacuation order—carrying an immediate threat-to-life designation—was issued for zone RVC-2146, according to CAL FIRE and the Riverside County Fire Department.

The order stated residents must "leave now," as the area is "lawfully closed to public access." In addition, evacuation warnings were issued for more than a dozen surrounding zones, including RVC-2076, RVC-2077, RVC-2143-A, RVC-2144, RVC-2145, RVC-2147, RVC-2197, RVC-2198-A, RVC-2198-B, RVC-2243, RVC-2244, RVC-2245, RVC-2246 and RVC-2292, urging that residents who need extra time to leave—especially those with pets or livestock—do so immediately.

By 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, several of those zones were downgraded from evacuation orders to warnings, the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said in an update on X. By 8:20 p.m., crews said the fire had burned 200 acres and was 25 percent contained.

Firefighters were met with a rapidly escalating situation from the start. According to CAL FIRE's incident log, crews arriving at the scene around 3:21 p.m. found a vegetation fire burning "at a moderate rate in medium fuels," prompting an immediate request for 10 additional engines as well as air support.

The situation worsened by 5 p.m., when a "no divert" order was issued on air tankers due to an immediate life threat. The incident commander requested 15 additional engines and two water tenders, as structures were reported to be in imminent danger.

As of Tuesday evening, 187 personnel, 34 engines, four helicopters, four dozers, three water tenders, and four crews were assigned to the fire. Multiple agencies were supporting the response, including the Pechanga Fire Department, Murrieta Fire Department, Corona Fire Department, the Riverside County Sheriff, CAL FIRE San Diego, Cleveland National Forest, and San Bernardino National Forest.

Hard road closures were in place on Tenaja Road between Avocado Mesa and Avenida La Cresta, as well as on Los Gatos/Carancho Road.

An evacuation shelter for residents and small animals has been established at Chaparral High School, located at 27215 Nicolas Road in Temecula. Large animals can be taken to the Murrieta Equestrian Center at 42646 Juniper St. in Murrieta, or to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.

Residents near the fire's path took note of the heavy air activity throughout the afternoon.

Gemini Moon Ranch, a local property in the area, posted to social media saying crews had been active overhead all day.

"We've had lots of helicopters flying overhead today as crews respond to the nearby Volcano Fire," the ranch wrote, adding, "Our hearts are with everyone affected, and we are incredibly grateful for the brave firefighters, pilots, and first responders working tirelessly to protect our community."