Authorities in Riverside County lifted evacuation orders for residents whose homes were threated by the Ramona Fire, which broke out just west of San Jacinto Monday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the blaze near the Ramona Expressway and Warren Road just after 2 p.m.
The blaze grew to 328 acres and was 20% contained by 8:30 p.m., when fire officials said “all evacuation warnings on the Ramona Fire are lifted and residents are permitted to return to their residences.”
Authorities also said that Warren Road, between Ramona Expressway and Esplanade Avenue, has been opened.
Footage from Sky5 showed crews creating fire breaks in front of homes in the area, spraying retardant and clearing brush before, while firefighting aircraft made water drops on hotspots along the fire’s path.
Evacuation orders and warnings, which have since been lifted, were issued for the following areas:
- South of Upperline Avenue
- West of Warren Road
- North of Cottonwood Avenue
- East of Beech Street
- North of Esplanade Avenue
- South of Cottonwood Avenue
“Please use caution in the area as firefighters and apparatus will remain on-scene overnight working to fully contain the fire,” Cal Fire said.
Temperatures near San Jacinto were in the high 80’s, with winds gusting at 10-12 miles per hour this afternoon. The National Weather Service forecasted temps in the mid-50’s overnight.
Officials have not provided any information on the possible cause of the blaze.