The Holy Fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest in the mountains west of Lake Elsinore has burned more than 18,000 acres - up from 10,200 acres Thursday - and as of this morning (Friday) is still only 5% contained. Worse yet, weather conditions Thursday pushed the blaze downslope into the I-15 corridor. For a time yesterday, flames came dangerously close to homes in Lake Elsinore foothill neighborhoods, but were fought back by firefighters.
Mandatory evacuations affecting more than 21,000 residents have been ordered for several neighborhoods on the mountain side of the 15 between Lake Elsinore and Temescal Valley, including a new evacuation order for residents living in Lake Elsinore on the mountain side of Lake Street, and the area spanning Grand Avenue to Ortega Highway. And Ortega Highway – Highway 74 between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano – remains closed both directions.