Jurupa Valley brush fire prompts evacuation orders in nearby Riverside, burns at least 20 acres

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A brush fire that erupted Tuesday in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley quickly burned at least 20 acres, prompting evacuation orders in nearby Riverside as crews pushed through heavy vegetation to reach the flames.

The so-called 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 agency said that multiple engine and hand crews from the county and Riverside Fire Department were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate through thick brush.

Evacuation orders were issued in Riverside for the area of Arlington Avenue, between Crestview and Drive and Western Avenue, as well as Sandy Lane, Sunnyvale Drive, Valley Drive, and Fairhaven Drive, a fire department spokesperson said.

Two Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were summoned to the location. At least one plane was seen dropping Phos-Chek on the flames.

The fire's potential growth, if unchecked, was gauged at 80 acres, according to fire officials.

There was no word on what might have triggered the brusher. The river bottom is teeming with homeless encampments, and debris, cooking and warming fires occur year-round.

City News Service contributed to this report.