Reche Canyon Fire: Mostly Contained, Evacuation Orders Lifted

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Nearly 100 firefighters have managed to mostly contain a fire burning in the Reche Canyon area, just north of Moreno Valley and west of Beaumont, that charred approximately 350 acres and forced people from their homes. The Reche Fire was considered 75 percent contained as of Friday afternoon, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Evacuation orders that had been in place on Thursday were lifted Friday morning.

A road closure on Reche Canyon Road between Reche Vista Drive and Locust Avenue was lifted Friday night, the fire department said.

"Please be mindful when driving through the fire area and yield to fire personnel and equipment working in the area," the fire department said.

The fire was first reported as a trailer fire that had spread to some nearby vegetation just before 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the fire department. As strong Santa Ana winds picked up in the region, the blaze quickly ballooned in size and sent a large smoke plume across the Inland Empire.

Sixteen engine crews and a truck company, along with two hand crews -- totaling nearly 100 personnel -- deployed in response to the wildfire, aided by two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter, according to the fire department.

Resources from the Riverside County Fire Department are stretched across several large fires, including the deadly Sandalwood Fire in Calimesa and the Wolf Fire in Banning.