300 firefighters combat Vista fire; evacuations ordered in Lake Elsinore

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Evacuation orders have been issued in Lake Elsinore as about 300 firefighting personnel combat a wildfire that ignited Friday in a dry and brushy area, authorities said.The blaze, dubbed the Vista fire, was reported at 4:20 p.m.near El Toro Road, north of the Riverside County city, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

By 6:35 p.m., the fire was mapped at 183 acres and burning at a slow rate of spread with no containment, while multiple ground and air resources worked to get it under control, according to Cal Fire’s Riverside County Unit.One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, officials said.

Evacuation orders are in effect for an area north of Highway 74, south of Ethanac Road and east of El Toro Road, and an evacuation warning is in effect in adjacent areas.A map of evacuation alerts can be seen here.

Local resident Sharon Anderson told OnScene.TV that police had come to her street to warn residents to be ready to evacuate.“We were a little concerned, but it’s not the first time this has happened,” she said, noting that wildfires are common in the area and that she is ready to relocate with her belongings and pets to a friend’s house if needed.Nearby, a man could be seen using a garden hose to spray water on the trees surrounding his home as a defensive measure should the flames approach.An evacuation center has been opened at Ortega High School, 520 Chaney St.

in Lake Elsinore.Large and small animals can be taken to to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, located at 581 S.

Grand Ave.in San Jacinto.Three helicopters, 28 engines, nine hand crews, two water tankers and two bulldozers have been assigned to the blaze, according to Cal Fire.

There are light and variable 5 to 10 mph winds blowing in the area, with gusts of up to 20 mph forecast into the evening, according to the Nation...