Temprano Fire in Murrieta 90 Percent Contained

Updated at 12:40 p.m. Monday:

A fire that roared through an open space area in Murrieta Sunday was 90 percent contained this morning.

Ten engine crews and about 70 personnel were still actively working to fully contain the so-called Temprano fire that broke out at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday in the Warm Springs Preserve area, Murrieta fire Chief Matt Shobert said.

"We are hoping it will be contained later on today if all goes well," Shobert said.

The blaze was blamed for cutting power to residents near the fire lines, but service had been restored to all but one customer as of Monday morning, according to Southern California Edison spokesperson Nancy Rodriguez Casanova. That last customer was expected to have power back by 3 p.m. Monday, she said.

The fire's point of origination or what may have sparked it was still under investigation, the chief said.

The fire was first reported near Via Temprano off Whitewood Road. It spread to consume an estimated 200 acres in an area bordered by Whitewood, Los Alamos Road, Hunter Road and Murrieta Hot Springs Road, according to Shobert.

He said the fire moved fast through the hilly terrain because the thick chaparral "hasn't burned in decades.''

At one point, between 100 and 200 homes were threatened, Shobert said.

Evacuation was voluntary. An evacuation center had been set up at Vista Murrieta High School Sunday evening, but was closed after no evacuees arrived.

At least two structures, an RV and an outbuilding, were confirmed lost in the fire. Minor scorching damage to one home was also confirmed.

A total damage assessment was still forthcoming, Shobert said.

"We were just focusing on knocking this thing down," he said.

The threat was "greatly minimized" to homes as of Monday, according to a statement on the city of Murrieta website.

Residents may expect to experience smoke from the smoldering for the next several days, he said, but should not be alarmed unless they see active flames. In that case, residents were urged to call 911.