Crime & Safety
Fire Ignites Near Boy Scout Camp, Halted Before It Reaches RivCo Homes
A fire that started near the former Boy Scout camp where there are vacant buildings raged through the trees Thursday morning.
RIVERSIDE, CA — A fire that erupted Thursday in the middle of Riverside's Fairmount Park was contained to a stand of trees before it could spread to structures.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 10:25 a.m. Thursday in the area of Dexter and Redwood drives, adjacent to a former Boy Scout camp where there are vacant buildings, according to the Riverside Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames burning four to five palm trees.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Firefighters established containment lines and completely encircled the blaze at 10:52 a.m.
By 11 a.m., they were mopping up.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A battalion chief at the scene said the fire appeared to have started in a homeless encampment.
The park and nearby Santa Ana River bottom are dotted with transient camps, and cooking, warming and debris fires are common year-round, despite efforts by the city and Riverside County officials to clear the area to mitigate fire hazards, which will be a greater threat with the onset of summer.
