Updated: July 7, 2026 4:53 pm PT/CBS LA
Riverside County firefighters battled a fire burning near Murrieta Tuesday afternoon.
The fire, which crews dubbed the Volcano Fire, was reported around 2:50 p.m. near Via Volcano and Tenaja Road in the La Cresta area, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Firefighters say the blaze has burned about 125 acres of moderate brush and is 0% contained.
“Multiple air and ground resources are being assigned,” firefighters said. They said 10 additional engines and aircraft had been requested to help put out the fire.
The fire is burning near the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, a popular hiking destination in the area.
Aerial footage showed the fire burning dangerously close to at least one home, where firefighters were in the driveway. The object was surrounded by reddish-pink remnants of fire retardant droplets from firefighting aircraft.
There were no injuries, the cause of the fire is being established.
Evacuation orders and warnings
As of 4:30 p.m., firefighters issued a mandatory evacuation order for:
- RVK-2145
- RVK-2146
- RVK-2147
- RVK-2197
- RVK-2198-B
- RVK-2243
- RVK-2244
- RVK-2245
Evacuation warnings are also provided for:
- RVK-2076
- RVK-20177
- RVK-2143-A
- RVK-2144
- RVK-2198-A
- RVK-2246
- RVK-2292
An evacuation map can be found here.
An evacuation shelter has been set up at Chaparral High School, located at 27215 Nicholas Road at Winchester Road in Temecula. Two separate animal evacuation shelters have been opened at the Murrieta Equestrian Center at 42646 Juniper St. and at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Avenue.
Road closures
California Highway Patrol officers closed Tenaja Road from Avocado Mesa to Avenida La Cresta to allow fire equipment to reach the area. Los Gatos and Carancho Roads were also completely closed.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.