All Evacuations Lifted On Juniper Fire Near Perris

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — All evacuation warnings were lifted Tuesday near the 755-acre Juniper Fire burn area in Mead Valley, as containment of the blaze reached 60%.

The Juniper Fire was reported at 11:20 a.m. Monday south of Ann Way and Juniper Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said numerous engine and hand crews from the county, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other agencies were sent to the location, encountering flames moving at a moderate rate in light brush to the southeast. Crews managed to stop the fire's forward progress and begin establishing containment lines.

The fire was listed as 30% contained as of Tuesday morning, but by early afternoon that figure jumped to 60%.

"Firefighters continue to work diligently to strengthen containment lines," fire officials said.

There were 165 people battling the fire, including six hand crews, 15 engines, four water tenders and two bulldozers.

Mandatory evacuations were declared north of Rocky Hills Road, south of Orange Avenue, west of Forrest Road and east of El Nido Road before they were lifted later Monday.

Evacuation warnings were posted for surrounding locations south of Idaleona Road and north of Santa Rosa Mine Road. A care and reception center was established at Citrus Hill High School, 18150 Wood Road in Perris. All those warnings were lifted Tuesday afternoon.

Two outbuildings were reportedly consumed by the flames, but no houses. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, the fire split in two, with both heads pushing to the southeast, crossing into Good Hope, amid winds blowing 10 to 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph, according to officials.

However, by 4 p.m., the entire blaze's forward rate of spread had been stopped.

All five Cal Fire air tankers departed the area by 4:30 p.m. Two water- dropping helicopters remained overhead, making targeted drops, mostly on minor spot fires that were cropping up outside the primary blaze.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service