A brush fire that erupted Monday on the west end of Lake Elsinore scorched more than 200 acres and prompted evacuations and road closures.
The non-injury "Rose" fire was reported about 2:20 p.m. in the 14800 block of Amorose Street, near Grand Avenue, on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
An agency spokeswoman said 30 engine crews and five hand crews, numbering more than 200 personnel, responded to the fire, working to encircle it with the aid of six air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters.
Properties along Amorose Street, Rockridge Road, Ainsworth Place and Toft Drive were threatened, prompting evacuation orders for residents on those streets. Evacuees were directed to Elsinore High School, 21800 Canyon Drive.
The flames initially appeared to be nearing El Cariso Village, the El Cariso Campground and the Los Pinos Forestry Camp, but evacuation warnings were lifted for those locations.
Sheriff's deputies closed Grand between Audelo Street to the north and Plumas Street to the south to prevent traffic from disrupting first responders.
Along with Riverside County fire crews, personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and the Orange County Fire Authority were battling to contain the blaze, which was zero percent contained as of 7 p.m.
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The cause of the fire was under investigation.
