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TEMECULA, California (BNO NEWS) -- A large wildfire broke out in the hills west of Temecula, California on Thursday afternoon, officials said. Evacuations are underway.
The fire was first reported at 2.34 p.m. local time, west of Temecula in the De Luz area, said Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department. Pictures from the scene initially showed heavy smoke over the area but at around 7.30 p.m. EDT, most smoke had dissipated. No injuries have been reported.
"First arriving officers reported a large spot burning upslope in [a] steep, dense terrain," Hagemann said. The fire is approximately 75 to 100 acres large and is burning in heavy fuels at a moderate rate. "The fire has a 10-15 mph south east wind, pushing the fire toward Winchester Road," he said. A total of 30 engines and 280 firefighters are on scene.
Rancho California Road has been closed in both directions at Business Center Drive as a result of the fire. City officials said evacuations were underway at Riock and Via Industria, but further details were not immediately available.