A four-alarm fire that erupted Monday in a lumber yard on the northeastern edge of Riverside consumed a pile of pallets and damaged several tractors, threatening to cross a roadway amid Santa Ana winds as crews deployed to the location.
The non-injury blaze was reported just after 3 p.m. Monday in the area of Main Street and Garner Road, between the Santa Ana River bottom and Interstate 215, according to the Riverside Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine crews from the city and Riverside County Fire Department were sent to the location, encountering flames spreading quickly through the property, burning about 40 pallets and damaging at least two tractors — causing their propane fuel tanks to explode — as firefighters established hose lays.
Northeast winds were gusting to about 20 mph at the time.
Several surrounding businesses were evacuated for public safety, according to reports from the scene.
The blaze was initially classified as a two-alarm, but it was quickly upgraded as the flames threatened to jump Main Street and extend into a field, requiring more personnel.
Riverside police officers shut down access to the four-lane corridor as a precaution.
Additionally, there were reports of languid or decreasing water pressure to fill hoses.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.