Volcano Fire: Most evacuation orders downgraded after brush fire erupts near Murrieta

MURRIETA, Calif. (KABC) -- An evacuation order and warnings remain in place after a brush fire erupted near Murrieta Tuesday afternoon.

The blaze was reported at 2:50 p.m. in the area of Via Volcano and Tenaja roads in the La Cresta area, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple air and ground resources were sent to the location and crews encountered flames moving at a moderate rate through medium to heavy brush.

Cal Fire says the blaze, dubbed the Volcano Fire, charred 138 acres and is 25% contained as of late Tuesday.

Only one zone, RVC-2146, remained under evacuation after several areas were ordered to evacuate earlier in the day. The evacuation zone and areas under evacuation warnings can be seen in the map below.

Sheriff's deputies shut down Tenaja west of Via Volcano for public safety.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the brusher.

An evacuation and reception center was established at Chaparral High School, 27215 Nicolas Road in Temecula. Any evacuees with large animals were encouraged to leave them with county personnel at the Murrieta Equestrian Center, 42646 Juniper St.

City News Service contributed to this report.