Officials Surveying Damage From Juniper Fire In Perris

PERRIS, CA — A 55-acre brush fire burning in unincorporated Perris forced evacuations Tuesday afternoon. By evening, crews halted the fire's forward spread and were assessing multiple damaged or destroyed structures, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

As of 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, the blaze dubbed the Juniper Fire was at 5% containment. According to reporters at the scene, at least two homes and several cars were destroyed.

Most mandatory evacuation orders were reduced to warnings south of Santa Rosa Mine Road, west of Maywood Club Road, east of El Baquero Road and north of Rocky Hills. Evacuation orders remained n place in an area surrounding the blaze.

A care and reception center for evacuees opened at Pinacate Middle School, 1990 South A Street in Perris.

The blaze was reported at 2:30 p.m. in the 19000 block of Santa Rosa Mine Road and initially burned at a "critical rate of spread" with "immediate structure threat," the fire department said.

No injuries were reported in the blaze.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Check back for updates.