The Springs Fire, which ignited around 11 a.m. Friday in a recreational area near Lake Perris, California, grew to more than 4,100 acres in a matter of hours by Friday evening in a sparsely populated but active outdoor area east of Moreno Valley, a city of roughly 200,000 residents.
Fire crews were dispatched immediately. With more than 250 personnel, dozens of fire engines and multiple helicopters, they battled the flames and worked to protect structures as the blaze raged toward more populated areas of the city. The wind was the biggest driver, pushing the fire to rapidly grow.
Alex Izaguirre, a spokesperson for Cal Fire Riverside County, said winds were “spreading the smoke,” leading to an increase in calls from residents in nearby communities who can see and smell it.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the region. The agency warned that gusts up to 50 mph could make containment efforts more challenging than they already are and lead to erratic fire behavior.
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Evacuation orders and warnings were issued, with Valley View High School designated as a temporary evacuation site. Animal shelters were also opened to help displaced pets and livestock. Even the schools were forced to adapt, as Moreno Valley College closed its main campus due to deteriorating air quality, prompting students and staff to leave immediately.
Thanks to the hard work of crews fighting the fire, the Springs Fire was 95% contained by Saturday evening, and all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted.
The cause of the Springs Fire remains under investigation; no deaths have been reported.
Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images
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