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Firefighters made significant headway on Saturday in their efforts to control a smoky wildfire in Southern California, which ignited on Friday morning and led to mandatory evacuations.
RIVERSIDE, California — Firefighting crews in Southern California reported progress on Saturday as they tackled a wildfire that had erupted the previous day, necessitating mandatory evacuations in the area.
The blaze, known as the Springs Fire, has spread over approximately 6.3 square miles (16 square kilometers) in Riverside County, located around 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. By Saturday, the fire was reported to be 45% contained, showing improvement from the 25% containment level noted on Friday, according to a spokesperson from the fire department.
Though winds of up to 45 mph (72 kph) were forecasted for Saturday, Terra Fernandez, a public safety information specialist with the Riverside County Fire Department, mentioned that wind conditions had “dissipated a bit” since Friday, aiding the firefighters’ efforts.
“We’re feeling confident,” Fernandez stated. “The winds have abated, which is helping us make better progress.” She also highlighted the importance of constructing and reinforcing containment lines around the fire’s edge.
“Natural equestrian trails near many of the structures are assisting our firefighters by providing access,” she explained. “Additionally, the increase in humidity this evening will also be beneficial.”
So far, no structures have been damaged or destroyed, Fernandez said.
Crews began early Saturday dropping water and retardant all around the fire by air. About 260 personnel are battling the blaze, including crews from around the region who are building and strengthening the containment lines and laying hose, she said.
Less than a dozen zones in the county remained under mandatory evacuation orders, while evacuation warnings in other parts of the county were lifted. It was not immediately known how many households were affected by the orders.
The fire is located in a populated unincorporated part of Riverside County that’s a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of roughly 200,000.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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