Evacuations Ordered After Fire In San Bernardino Spreads To RivCo

RIVERSIDE, CA — Firefighters Friday continued their efforts to extinguish a vegetation fire burning in about 250 acres in parts of Riverside County bordering San Bernardino County.

Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a fire of about 100 square feet was reported near Canyon Crest Drive and Weeping Willow Lane in the Fontana area by the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

In less than an hour, the department's update noted the fire had engulfed about 10 acres.

Just before 7:50 p.m. Thursday, an evacuation order was issued to parts of Riverside County bordering the fire, and the Riverside County Fire Department assumed incident command.

The area north of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, east of Country Village Road, south of the county line and west of Sierra Avenue was under evacuation alert.

A care and reception center was set up at the Jurupa Valley High School, 10551 Bellegrave Avenue, by Etiwanda Avenue, according to the fire department.

Around 9:15 p.m. Thursday, the fire department updated the fire to 85 acres and said the flames were 0% contained.

"The fire is now mapped at 250 acres, 0% contained," the fire department reported in a statement after daybreak on Friday. "A large augmentation of fire engines, crews, bulldozers and night flying-water dropping helicopters assisted in the suppression of the fire yesterday. Resources worked on containment throughout the night in challenging terrain with light flashy fuels and east-blowing winds. No injuries were reported."

—City News Service