Bain Fire in Jurupa Valley
A brush fire that erupted Tuesday in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley expanded rapidly in the direction of homes, leaving four people injured and prompting mandatory evacuations.
The blaze -- dubbed the Bain Fire -- was reported at 11:22 a.m. Tuesday on the north side of the dry channel, in the area of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue, just north of the Hidden Valley Nature Center, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The wind was pushing the blaze toward the nearby city of Riverside.
The agency said numerous engine and hand crews from the county, Riverside Fire Department and surrounding agencies responding to a mutual aid request were sent to the location, encountering wind-driven flames moving at a moderate rate through thick brush.
The fire has already scorched at least 700 acres and is 0% contained, according to CAL FIRE.
Flames were spreading quickly towards homes in the area of Arlington and Western avenues, prompting evacuation orders for dozens of residents in that area.
Evacuation Orders were issued for the following zones:
- JUR-0180
- RIV-0306
- RIV-0307
- RIV-0309
Evacuation Warnings were issued for the following zones:
- JUR-0176-A
- NOR-0304-A
- NOR-0305-B
- NOR-0442-B
- RIV-0308
- RIV-0443-B
- RIV-0445
- RIV-0447
- RIV-0310
Click here to see if you are located within an Evacuation Order or an Evacuation Warning.
An evacuation center has opened at the La Sierra Senior Center located at 5215 La Sierra Ave, Building A, in Riverside.
Roads are closed at Arlington Avenue, Mitchell Avenue and Arlington Avenue at Substation Road/Crestview Drive.
Three residents suffered smoke inhalation injuries, while another person suffered unspecified traumatic injuries, according to reports from the scene. The latter victim was taken to a Riverside hospital for treatment. The other parties reportedly did not require further treatment after they were assessed by paramedics.
There was no word on what might have triggered the fire. The river bottom is teeming with homeless encampments, and debris, cooking and warming fires occur year-round.
Jurupa Valley brush fire erupts in dry riverbed, burns at least 20 acres
Verona Fire in Juniper Springs
Meanwhile, another fire -- dubbed the Verona Fire -- burned in the Juniper Springs area in Riverside County and had scorched at least 200 acres as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Verona Fire prompted evacuations as it burned in the area of Verona Lane and Juniper Springs Road.
Evacuation Orders were issued for the following zones:
- RVC-1185
- RVC-1186
- RVC-1187
- RVC-1285
Evacuation Warnings were issued for the following zones:
- RVC-1076
- RVC-1077
- HMT-1188
- HMT-1189
- HMT-1292
- RVC-1286
For a map of the evacuation areas, click here.
According to the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit, one firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Shortly before 4 p.m., an Eyewitness News crew on the ground heard that forward progress had been stopped.
Eyewitness News spoke with one resident in the neighborhood, which locals call Juniper Flats. It's a rural area between Hemet and Diamond Valley Lake. The neighbor said he believes three to four homes have burned in the area.
The cause of both fires is under investigation.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
City News Service contributed to this report.