Nixon Fire


The Nixon Fire was a sizable wildfire that burned in Riverside county in Southern California. It ignited on July 29, 2024, in the census-designated place of Aguanga in Riverside County., it has burned and is 100 percent contained.

Background

The fire burned 3,500 acres on day one in Chaparral with dry atmospheric conditions, a lack of recent burn history, warm temperatures, and strong winds helping the fire expand rapidly. On day two, the fire burned into the Beauty Mountain Wilderness area.

Cause

The fire began in near Tule Valley Road and Richard Nixon Boulevard in Aguanga, California. It is located south of state highway California [State Route 371]. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection determined the cause was a freestanding, privately owned electrical panel.

Progression

The fire ignited just before 12:30 PM PDT near Tule Valley Road and Richard Nixon Boulevard. By 03:04 PM, it burned 295 acres. The National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy described the weather conditions "unfavorable" with low humidity and high temperatures. The fire was declared fully contained on August 7th.

Effects

The fire prompted evacuation orders for around 2,000 buildings in Riverside County. San Diego county was under evacuation warning. The smoke could be seen from San Diego county. One residential structure was destroyed while four others were damaged. It moved into San Diego County. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Riverside Fire Department set up an evacuation center in Temecula Valley High School in Temecula. It was closed as an evacuation center on Friday, August 2, 2024. A care and reception center was opened at Hamilton High School in Anza, California.

Growth and containment table