2 Fires Erupt In Riverside County, Hours Apart: Cal Fire

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — Smoke and flames from two different fires erupted across Riverside County Thursday, both in Jurupa Valley, mere hours apart. Meanwhile, a third brush fire was still burning in nearby Chino Hills, with firefighters reaching 40% containment.

No one was evacuated in either event, according to officials, and both were fully contained as of Friday morning.

THE FLEETWOOD FIRE:

The first blaze, known as the Fleetwood Fire, broke out Thursday at 2:05 p.m. in the area of Fleetwood Drive and Via Ricardo, according to a Cal Fire spokesperson. The fire burned in the dry Santa Ana River bottom, charring four acres before being brought under control.

The agency stated that multiple engine crews were dispatched to the location and encountered flames moving slowly through dense brush.

No structures were threatened, and no one was injured during the firefight.

Firefighters stopped the fire's progress shortly after 3 p.m. and had fully encircled it by 3:45 p.m., according to officials. Crews completed mopping up shortly before 5 p.m.

THE HILLS FIRE:

A second blaze ignited near the Pomona 60 Freeway, around 4:15 p.m., Cal Fire reported, also in Jurupa Valley. That blaze, named the Hills Fire, scorched three acres before it was contained about an hour before it started.

Firefighters rushed to that non-injury blaze that burned in the area of Granite Hill Drive and Pedley Road, about a quarter-mile from the freeway, according to the Cal Fire/ Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple engine crews were dispatched to the location where they encountered thick smoke and slow-moving flames across an open field, west of a subdivision.

Cal Fire air tankers were requested but cancelled a short time later as firefighters quickly deployed hose lays.

At 4:40 p.m., the brusher's forward rate of spread was stopped, according to officials. By 5:15 p.m., the fire was 100% contained.
Crews were expected to complete mopping up before nightfall.

Officials, who noted that the Fleetwood Fire, which burned along the Santa Ana river bottom, is rife with homeless encampments, and cooking, warming, and debris fires are common year-round.

The cause of both fires remained under investigation.

THE EUCLID FIRE:

A third brush fire, named the Euclid Fire, has burned 120 acres near Chino Hills and Euclid Road off Highway 71. That fire is now 40% contained, according to Cal Fire.

"Crews made good progress overnight, mopping up hot spots around the perimeter, adding additional containment lines. The specialized felling crews will work in the eucalyptus grove to remove additional fire-damaged trees and ensure safety in the area. Firefighters will be working in the dense build-up area and looking for any hot spots," they said. No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported as of Friday morning.

The blaze was battled under the unified command of the Chino Valley Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, CAL FIRE Riverside/ Riverside County Fire.

The cause of the Euclid Fire remains under investigation.