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Fire Near Temecula Burns Homes, Outbuildings

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Sep 19, 2009 10:24 pm US/Pacific

Fire Near Temecula Burns Homes, Outbuildings

TEMECULA, Calif. (CBS) ― A brush fire that broke out east of Temecula Saturday is 15 percent contained, but not before destroying at 12 structures and forced the evacuation of at least 30 homes.

The fire was reported before 3 p.m. near state Route 79 and Vail Lake in the Cleveland National Forest, Cal Fire-Riverside County Capt. Fernando Herrera said. The fire has burned 340 acres and burned 12 buildings, some of which were homes.

One resident suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene.

Homes along Highway 79 east of Vail Lake to Rainbow Road and Highway 79 between Sage Road and Caprice Road were under mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuation centers were set up at Temecula Community Center, 3875 Rancho Vista Road, and Rancho RV Resort, at Highway 79 and Highway 379.

More than 200 firefighters battled the blaze, along with at least five aircraft, including two tanker planes, two helicopter sand an "air attack" plane to guide water and retardant drops, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters expect to have the fire surrounded by Sunday morning.

"I don't see any flames from where we are," Munoz said about 4 p.m., speaking from the resort. "Just a bunch of smoke over the hills to the northeast."

Authorities say winds have subsided, but dry, hot and windy Santa Ana conditions are forecast to move into the area early next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The California Highway Patrol has closed state Route 79 at Sage Road and all southbound lanes at state Route 79 and Anza. Traffic is being diverted to Highway 371.

The fire also interrupted power for 700 customers along Highway 79, east of Vail Road, according to SoCal Edison. The power outage began at 6:30 p.m.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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