The fire was burning in Decker Canyon, not far from El Cariso Village, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Division Chief Todd Hopkins said during the 4 p.m. news event.

With the fire’s highway crossing, areas along Southwest Riverside County’s western edges are at greater risk. At approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday, officials announced updated evacuation orders for the area.

Nearly all Airport Fire evacuation orders are in Riverside County. See an evacuation map here. Also, Cal Fire has an online tool that lets residents and business owners quickly determine the evacuation status for their street address. Find the tool here.

During the news conference, officials said the Airport Fire has burned over 10,000 acres with zero containment. Read more about the Airport Fire here.

Cleveland National Forest Fire Chief Talbot Hayes confirmed the fire is being fueled by hot weather, “barely hikeable” steep terrain, and dry fuel.

The blaze is being attacked by ground and air. Conditions permitting, aircraft will fly after dark, according to the officials.

Fires that burn above Lake Elsinore in the Cleveland National Forest are a particular challenge due to what is called the “Elsinore Effect.” The phenomenon caused by the steep mountains and hostile weather patterns can cause extremely erratic fire behavior, according to Hopkins.

During the 1959 Decker Fire, the Elsinore Effect was not well understood. Andrew “Rusty” Brooks, Boyd Edwards, John Guthrie, Nelson Harlan, Stephen Johnson, and Durward “Ben” Slater lost their lives battling the blaze.

The Airport Fire forced the closure Tuesday of state Route 74 (Ortega Highway) in both directions between Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore and the Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute entrance in unincorporated San Juan Capistrano. Read more here.

While a count on lost structures due to the Airport Fire was not available during the news conference, Hayes said Cleveland National Forest cabins were likely damaged. Assessments were underway, according to the chief.

Officials said that communications towers on Santiago Peak were still functioning Tuesday. Social media photos have shown the towers in a backdrop of flames, but air personnel made additional fire-retardant runs on the peak to prevent damage to the crucial equipment, according to officials.

Officials again stressed that firefighting efforts across Southern California are hampered by the sheer magnitude of the current blazes. In addition to the Airport Fire, the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County are burning. Read more about those fires here. Together, more than 70,000 acres are currently on fire in the region.

The post Airport Fire Jumps Ortega Highway In Notorious Decker Canyon appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.