A brush fire that broke out near the interchange of the Riverside (91) Freeway and Corona (71) Expressway on the west end of Corona that scorched 21 acres and threatened homes before Cal Fire aircraft slowed it down, was 20% contained Saturday.
The non-injury Green Fire was reported at 4:20 p.m. Friday on the eastbound side Riverside Freeway, possibly in a homeless encampment between the freeway and Palisades Drive, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said multiple engine crews from the county and Corona Fire Department converged on the location a short time later, encountering flames moving at a moderate rate to the southeast.
Five Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters began runs by 5:30 p.m., significantly slowing the blaze as it approached several properties on Nutmeg Drive. Firefighters set up a defensive perimeter that prevented damage to the homes.
As of 6 p.m., all air tankers and two helicopters had departed, with ground crews using surrounding roads to strengthen and secure containment lines, according to reports from the scene.
At 11:30 p.m., the Riverside County Fire Department said evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings and its units were leaving the area. Officials said Corona fire crews planned to remain on scene through the morning, putting out hot spots and flare ups.
The evacuation center at Santiago High School has been closed.
The blaze was only a few miles south of where the 120-acre Euclid Fire in San Bernardino County crossed the Corona Expressway before being stopped Wednesday.
Thank you to all our Emergency, police, fire and all other Corona personnel in saving our neighborhood! ❤️🇺🇸🙏