A brush fire that might have been intentionally set erupted Wednesday in the San Bernardino National Forest, burning at least 4,700 acres, destroying five houses and leading to road closures and evacuations of thousands of homes in the area.
The Cranston Fire was reported at around noon off state Route 74 in the forest area between Hemet and Mountain Center, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire was burning “with a rapid rate of spread,” according to the USFS. No injuries have been reported in connection with the blaze, which was 5 percent contained as of Wednesday night with over 700 personnel deployed.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but California Highway Patrol Officer Darren Meyer said a motorist who witnesses said was spotted “near the origin of the fire” was detained. A light-colored sedan matching the description provided by witnesses was spotted at around 12:30 p.m. near Newport Road and State Street in Hemet, Meyer said.
An enforcement stop was conducted by the CHP, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Hemet Police Department and the driver was arrested.
He was identified as Brandon N. McGlover, 32, of Temecula, who is suspected of setting multiple fires in southwest Riverside County, including the one that became the Cranston Fire, authorities said.
McGlover was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of five counts of arson to wildland. Additional allegations are possible as the investigation continues, according to Cal Fire.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for hundreds of residents of Idyllwild, Mountain Center along McGaugh and McCall Park roads as well as the Apple Canyon, Lake Hemet and Hurkey Creek areas and the communities of Pine Cove and Fern Valley.
“Leave the area immediately,” a USFS Twitter post advised.
Nearly 2,200 homes and 3,200 people were evacuated. Television news footage showed at least a few homes going up in flames.
Authorities have established an evacuation center for residents and campers at Banning High School, 100 W. Westward Ave. Animals of all sizes can be taken to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Ave.
Small and large animals can also be evacuated to Dysart Equestrian Park, 2101 W. Victory Ave. in Banning, but the small ones will be transferred to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. Residents can call (951) 358-7329 for assistance with moving animals.
Road closures include state Route 74 between the Cranston Fire Station and Lake Hemet, as well as state Route 243 between the communities of Pine Cove and Mountain Center, where authorities say flames jumped the highway near the Idyllwild Grinding Facility.
Authorities have also issued a smoke advisory for the region, advising that winds could bring smoke into various parts of Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley, Banning Pass, the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, Perris Valley and Anza. The advisory will be in effect through Thursday morning.
A fire information call center for the public has also been established at (909) 383-5688.