3 Brush Fires Burn In Riverside County: Maps, Perimeters

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Three brush fires were active in Riverside County as of Tuesday morning, though crews have worked to keep the blazes from spreading.

The most recent fire broke out Monday evening in Jurupa Valley and had burned 150 acres as of Tuesday morning, with 50% containment, according to Cal Fire.

The blaze erupted around 7:45 p.m. Monday near Pyrite Street and Granite Hill Drive, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. No injuries or evacuations were immediately reported.

Firefighters were battling the Pyrite Fire on the ground and in the air, with two helicopters, 21 engines and two water tenders assigned.

It is one of a handful of brush fires burning in Riverside County.

On Monday, a fire erupted along northbound Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore, consuming 50 acres and injuring two firefighters, while also forcing a partial closure of the freeway.

As of Tuesday morning, the blaze — dubbed the Nichols Fire — was 35% contained, and the freeway had reopened.

No evacuations were reported.

The Nichols Fire broke out at 12:41 p.m. on the east side of the freeway near Nichols Road.

One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. An update on the crew member's condition was not released.

According to Cal Fire, a second firefighter was injured. An update was unavailable.

It's believed the Nichols Fire may have been sparked by a vehicle fire that was reported in the area.

Also on Monday, a vegetation fire broke out and burned 13 acres in the Banning area before being fully contained.

The non-injury blaze dubbed the Bluff Fire was reported shortly before 12:45 p.m. at Bluff Street, north of Mias Canyon Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

By 7 p.m., the fire was contained.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The largest blaze burning in the county, the 2,387-acre Wolf Fire south of Banning, was 95% contained as of Tuesday morning. The fire sparked on June 29 at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail.

The fire forced evacuations, but all have been lifted.

Three firefighters were injured battling the blaze, according to Cal Fire. An update on their condition was not immediately available.

The cause of the Wolf Fire is also under investigation.