Fast-growing wildfire in windy Southern California triggers evacuations

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A smoky and fast-growing wildfire Friday in windy Southern California has prompted multiple evacuation orders and warnings.

The Springs Fire broke out at around 11 a.m. Friday and by 3:30 p.m. had grown to 4.45 square miles (11.5 square kilometers). The cause of the fire east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County is under investigation. It was not immediately known how many households are under evacuation warnings or orders.

Brush

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fire burns 3,500 acres

The blaze was initially estimated at roughly 5 acres but quickly spread, reaching 3,500 acres by 4 p.m., fire officials said.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, fire crews were reporting the fire was only a couple of hundred yards from structures in the Championship Drive area.

The fire was burning in a populated — but not densely so — unincorporated part of Riverside County, in a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of roughly 200,000. The city is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

“It’s windy out there,” said Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County.

Wind spreading smoke

Alex Izaguirre, a spokesperson for the Cal Fire Riverside County, said the wind is “spreading the smoke,” prompting concerned calls from residents in neighboring cities who can see and smell the smoke.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys through Saturday afternoon, with gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) expected.”Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the advisory read.

“Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the advisory read.

Evacuation

Evacuation zone information is available here.

An evacuation shelter was opened at Valley View High School, located at 13135 Nason St., in Moreno Valley. Animals were being received at San Jacinto Animal Shelter, located at 581 S. Grand Ave., in San Jacinto.

At least three air tankers, two type 1 helicopters, about 40 engines and four water tenders were requested to assist in battling the blaze, according to the fire department.

Gilman Springs Road between Alessandro Road and Bridge Street was temporarily closed. (With AP and CNS reports)

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