Falls Fire Lake Elsinore
Update - August 8, 2013,
California Department of Transportation, Riverside County ____ An emergency project to clean-up and repair the damage caused by the Falls Fire on State Route 74 (SR-74) began at 6 a.m. this morning. Beador Construction Company is removing 14,000 feet of charred guardrail and replacing it with new material. Crews will be working twelve hour shifts between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will continue escorts during the already established escort hours for local residents until the guardrail is completely replaced. Commuters must continue to use alternate routes.
Caltrans anticipates that one way traffic control will begin for all commuters once the guardrail installation is complete, which is currently estimated at 12 days. The contractor is working diligently to reduce this timeframe.
For more information on this and other Caltrans projects, visit our website at www.caltrans8.info and click on “Commuter Alerts/Press Releases.”
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UPDATE:
August 6, 2013, 11:00 A.M.
InciWeb.org,____ A wildfire started on the Trabuco Ranger District August 5, 2013. located off of the Ortega Highway near Decker Canyon, in Riverside. As of 9:00 A.M. Tuesday the fire has burned 1416 acres. Due to the fire burning on the Trabuco Ranger District the San Mateo Wilderness, El Cariso Campground, Blue Jay Campground, the Firefighter Memorial Picnic Area and Wildomar OHV area are closed until further notice. Road closures include the Ortega Hwy 74 from Lake Elsinore west to the Cleveland National Forest boundary.
E.T. Russell, August 5, 2013 ____ The brush near fire Lake Elsinore in the Morrell Canyon, Cleveland National Forest was spotted about noon on Monday has been named The Falls Fire. Immediate air attack and ground crews responded to the fast moving blaze. DC-10’s brought in thousands of phosphorous and water loaded helicopters rushed to the fire scene. State route 74 is closed, not allowing residents access to their homes.
By 6:00 P.M. has claimed at least 1200 acres. Winds referred to as Sundowners were causing concern as the winds were pushing toward the Lake Elsinore community.
Even though the fire is visible from the San Bernardino Mountains, there is no threat to the mountain communities.