A brush fire that erupted Tuesday in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley charred 1,374 acres and threatened dozens of homes in Riverside, leaving four people injured and prompting mandatory evacuations.
The blaze was reported at 11:24 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 numerous engine and hand crews from the county, Riverside Fire Department, Corona Fire Department, Ontario Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the location, encountering wind-driven flames moving through thick brush.
The flames spread toward groups of homes in the area of Arlington and Western avenues in Riverside, leading to evacuation orders for dozens of residences around that intersection, including adjacent ones that intersect Sunnyvale Drive, Mountain High Drive, Western Avenue and Western Hills Drive. Evacuation warnings were in effect for additional neighborhoods in the area of Sandy Lane and Valley Drive. Specific locations were identifiable via a digital map at protect.genasys.com/search.
Three residents suffered smoke inhalation, while another person suffered unspecified traumatic injuries, according to reports from the scene. All the victims were transported to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.
An evacuation reception center was established at the La Sierra Senior Center, 5215 La Sierra Ave. in Riverside.
Three Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters and four air tankers initiated runs on the brusher just after 1 p.m. Two choppers with night-flying capability were assigned to the blaze. They were slated to remain in operation most of the night.
Riverside Police Department officers and sheriff’s deputies implemented hard road closures for public safety along Arlington, between Hidden Valley Nature Center Drive and Western Hills Drive. Later in the afternoon, closures were also put into effect on Van Buren Boulevard, between Jurupa Avenue and Clay Street, in addition to Tyler Street at Jurupa Avenue.
The Western Riverside County Animal Shelter at Clay Street and Van Buren Boulevard in Jurupa Valley was under an evacuation warning.
“The fire is now 1,374 acres and 10% contained. Air and ground resources will remain on scene overnight, working diligently to build containment lines around the perimeter of the fire,” Cal Fire posted on X at 8:30 p.m.
“Air and ground resources will remain on scene overnight, working diligently to build containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. Air resources will also be assigned throughout the evening, dropping water and retardant. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. Please avoid the area, as heavy equipment and personnel continue working and will be entering and exiting the area.”
Power lines were down in the immediate vicinity of the river bottom, increasing dangers for firefighters and residents. The lines were reportedly de-energized for safety. It was unclear how many SoCal Edison and Riverside Public Utilities customers were without electricity.
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.