Updated 8:45 p.m. April 19, 2015
A brush fire that was sparked by an unattended cooking fire has scorched about 1,020 acres in the Prado Basin and was 35 percent Sunday.
The so-called Highway Fire, which was reported about 6:15 p.m. Saturday near the Corona (71) and Riverside (91) freeways, forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes as it continued to burn throughout the night, blanketing the Inland Empire with smoke, and sending acrid air as far as the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
County fire units and counterparts from a host of agencies, over 650 firefighters in all, were battling the flames along with two helicopters, two air tankers and a pair of bulldozers, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
At the height of the blaze, residents of about 300 homes along Bluff Street, Homestead Road and Stagecoach Road were ordered to evacuate and the American Red Cross opened an evacuation center at Riley Gymnasium in Norco. An evacuation center for horses and other large animals was opened at Ingalls Park in Norco.
The evacuation orders were lifted about 6 a.m.
The densely vegetated area hadn’t burned in decades, fire officials said, and smoke will likely linger in the area for days.
Those with sensitivity to smoke exposure, including people with allergies or asthma, were advised to remain indoors with the air conditioning on.
Motorists were advised as well to drive cautiously in areas of low-lying smoke and to look out for fire equipment.
Officials said Sunday evening that the blaze was caused by an unattended cooking fire.
— City News Service