Jurupa Valley brush fire erupts after police chase ends in fiery crash, spreads to 360 acres; 2 arrested
JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Several structures were destroyed by a brush fire that was sparked by a crash at the end of a police chase and went on to blacken at least 360 acres in Jurupa Valley Thursday morning, authorities said.
The fire was burning near the intersection of 46th Street and Crestmore Road and began around 12:39 a.m., prompting evacuations and forcing school closures, according to fire officials.
The blaze continued to rage at 5% containment by the evening.
Cal Fire Riverside said at least three residential structures, two outbuildings and one mobile home were destroyed in the fire. Residents attempted to fight back the flames with water hoses.
Robert Ramirez came to help evacuate the horse of a Cal Fire firefighter friend who was battling another blaze up north.
"He called me about 3 in the morning, and he's like, 'Hey Robert, go give me a hand, 'cause I can't be there. So, hitched up the truck and trailer and headed over here," he said.
The first unit on scene reported less than an acre of brush burning, but the wind-driven blaze quickly grew at a rapid rate of spread, according to Cal Fire Riverside. Cal Fire spokesman Jeff LaRusso said the inferno started at the end of a police pursuit, where a suspect crashed near brush that quickly ignited and spread through the Santa Ana River bottom.
MORE: Unhealthy air quality in Southern California - Powerful winds stir up dangerous particles
News video from the scene showed a sedan fully engulfed in flames.
Bryan Anguiano, 23, who was driving, faces a list of charges, including sparking the fast-moving fire.
Kevin Hidalgo, 28, was the passenger in the vehicle. He was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant.
Anguiano is accused of crashing on 46 Street after fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle. The overheated car quickly ignited the brush, which spread.
By daybreak, much-needed help arrived with air drops and additional fire units responding.
RELATED: Hill Fire burns 628 acres in Jurupa Valley
"I can't thank the fire department enough, they did a tremendous job and incredible responses," one resident said.
More help came from Mother Nature as the fierce Santa Ana winds died down.
Evacuations were issued for residents south of Limonite Avenue, west of Crestmore, east of Van Buren and north of the Santa Ana River bottom. Evacuations include 46th Avenue from Riverview Drive to Calle Hermosa, Riverview Drive from 46th Avenue to Rio Road, Rio Road from Riverview Drive to Calle Hermosa and Calle Hermosa from Rio Road to 46th Avenue. An evacuation shelter was established at Patriot High School.
The blaze prompted Indian Hills and Peralta elementary schools to close Thursday, with classes expected to resume Friday, according to the Jurupa Unified School District.
Mexican fan palm trees - which reach heights up to 100 feet - sent embers shooting into the night sky and eventually landing onto the ground, fueling flames.
MORE: Here's every fire burning in Southern California
Shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, Cal Fire announced that all evacuation orders for the 46 Fire had been lifted.
Southern California is in the midst of increased fire risk as strong winds continue in the region through at least Thursday evening. Winds in the area reached 20 mph.
Another brush fire erupted in Jurupa Valley Wednesday, which burned more than 600 acres and prompted evacuations in the area.
Firefighters were able to stop the forward rate of spread of the Hill Fire and lifted those evacuations later in the evening as containment reached 30%.
