Henderson Fire: 300-acre wildfire burns near Pala Casino

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3 days ago

Updates: This story has been updated with new information.
Crews continued efforts on Saturday to build containment lines around a 300-acre wildfire near the Pala Casino that prompted evacuation orders in some neighborhoods.
The Henderson Fire started for unknown reasons shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday off Henderson Road, north of state Route 76 and east of Interstate 15, according to Cal Fire. The blaze was 15% contained as of Saturday morning.
Cal Fire Capt. Mike Cornette said evacuation orders are still in place.
'We've ordered additional aircraft this morning,' he said Saturday, adding the pilots have been helped by improved visibility.
There were no reports of structure damage or injuries.
The northwest-spreading fire grew to 30 acres by 6:59 p.m. Friday as ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and water-dropping helicopters worked to subdue the blaze, the state agency reported.
The fire grew to 200 acres by 9:57 p.m. Friday, and to 300 acres by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.
'Firefighters were able to make progress (overnight) as fire behavior was minimal,' according to a Cal Fire statement Saturday morning. 'A substantial number of extra firefighters and equipment have been requested for (Saturday), as there will be work to fully contain the fire.'
An evacuation order was issued for nearby areas, with a temporary evacuation point set up at the Pala Casino parking lot.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for some areas of western Riverside County on Saturday due to the fire.
The advisory was effective until 8 a.m. Sunday in the areas of Murrieta, Temecula, Sage, Aguanga and Anza.
The South Coast AQMD said the smoke will most heavily impact areas near and to the northeast of the fire. Particle pollution levels were expected to reach the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' air quality index category in the affected areas.
If the fire remains active, the South Coast AQMD said the particle pollution levels could reach the 'unhealthy' air quality index category by Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Conditions may change quickly, depending on fire activity and weather, the South Coast AQMD announced.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Henderson Fire: Evacuations, size, road closures, containment