A mercury scare that prompted a multi-city hazardous materials response across Riverside County was brought to a close Saturday evening, after crews contained the chemical hazard and confirmed there was no continuing danger to the public.
Firefighters first responded at about 11:24 a.m. to the 24000 block of Magnolia Street in Wildomar after receiving reports involving the dangerous metal.
The response was led by the Riverside County Hazardous Materials Team, working alongside county environmental health officials and other agencies.
Crews later cleared all affected scenes after determining the mercury incident was contained to the 24000 block of Magnolia Road in Wildomar.
Officials also inspected four additional reported locations—the 500 block of Main Street in Lake Elsinore, the 2300 block of Brook Drive in Canyon Lake, the 2800 block of Bradley Road at Menifee City Hall, and the 36000 block of Inland Valley Drive in Wildomar—and found no public safety threat at any of them.
Authorities stressed that mercury is a powerful neurotoxin and cellular poison, with potential health risks from inhaling its vapors or coming into direct contact with it.
Although the hazmat response has ended, officials said there was never an ongoing threat to nearby residents, and no evacuations were ordered.
No further details have been released, including how the mercury was found, while county officials continue reviewing the incident.
The California Post reached out to the Riverside County Fire Department for more information.
