A fire has erupted in the hills of Menifee, California, on June 20 forcing evacuations of surrounding residents, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
The fire is 43 acres with 5 percent containment as of 3:14 p.m. on Tuesday, CAL FIRE reported. Officials reported the fire’s forward advancement has stopped and fire extinguishing personnel will stay on site for a few more hours.
The fire, nicknamed “Garbani,” started as a brush fire at 12:55 p.m. for unknown reasons, according to CAL FIRE.
A fire erupts in the hills of Menifee, Calif., on June 20, 2023. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)Authorities have issued an evacuation order for everyone living in the area west of Haun Road, south of Craig Avenue, east of Murrieta Road and English Court, and north of Wickerd Road, according to CAL FIRE.
An evacuation warning is also posted for those north of Bundy Canyon Road and east of Sunset Avenue.
Those evacuated are directed to Paloma Valley High School Care and Reception Center at 31375 Bradley Road.
CAL FIRE helicopters can be seen picking up water from the Palms Golf Course at the Menifee Lakes Country Club to extinguish the fire.
Evacuation updates can be found here or on the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Facebook and Twitter pages.