Topline:
A small vegetation fire that started in Riverside County Wednesday grew quickly to 200 acres, prompting mandatory evacuation orders.
What we know so far: The Dale Fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. in the area of Lugo Road and Highway 371 in Aguangua, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters at the scene reported a roughly 20-acre vegetation fire burning at a moderate rate of spread. It was 0% contained Wednesday afternoon.
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This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
A vegetation fire that started in Riverside County on Wednesday grew to more than 1,000 acres by Thursday morning. Some evacuation orders issued Wednesday remained in place.
The Dale Fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Lugo Road and Highway 371 in Aguangua, according to Cal Fire. Aguanga is about 20 miles east of Temecula. Firefighters at the scene reported a vegetation fire burning at a moderate rate of spread. Highway 371 was closed but had reopened by Thursday morning.
Cal Fire reported three helicopters and more than 350 personnel were fighting the fire. The fire was 25% contained by Thursday morning, and Cal Fire had reported earlier that crews were making progress on the fire's perimeter.
"The wind has shifted a couple times, and we've been able to keep it within our boundaries," said Capt. John Clingingsmith Jr. of Cal Fire in Riverside County. "It's not as hot as it was last week, but the temperature still is up, especially up here in Anza, so crews are doing a great job of getting some perimeter around the fire."
#DaleFIRE [UPDATE 3:15PM]: Crews are making good progress on the fires perimeter and the fire is now 331 acres. Evacuation Orders, Warnings, and road closures remain in place.
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) July 16, 2025
An animal shelter has been set up at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services located at 581…
Details on evacuation orders and warnings are available on the Cal Fire incident page.
Care and reception center: Anza Community Center, 56630 Highway 371, Anza.
Animal evacuations: Riverside County Department of Animal Services, 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto.
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