(This story was updated with new information.)
A brush fire that erupted Tuesday in the Santa Ana River bottom near Riverside charred 600 acres by about 3 p.m. and expanded rapidly in the direction of homes, leaving four people injured and prompting mandatory evacuations.
The blaze was reported at 11:22 a.m. Tuesday on the north side of the dry channel, in the area of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue in Jurupa Valley, just north of the Hidden Valley Nature Center, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said numerous engine and hand crews from the county, Riverside Fire Department and surrounding agencies responding to a mutual aid request were sent to the location, encountering wind-driven flames moving at a moderate rate through thick brush.
Bain Fire evacuation orders
Shortly before 1 p.m., the flames were spreading quickly toward groups of homes in the area of Arlington and Western avenues in Riverside, leading to evacuation orders for dozens of residences around that intersection, including on Sunnyvale Drive, Mountain High Drive, Western Avenue and Western Hills Drive.
Three residents suffered smoke inhalation injuries, while another person suffered unspecified traumatic injuries, according to reports from the scene. The latter victim was taken to a Riverside hospital for treatment. The other parties reportedly did not require further treatment after they were assessed by paramedics.
At least two Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters initiated runs on the brusher just after 1 p.m., but there was no word on air tankers.
Bain Fire road closures
Riverside Police Department officers, aided by sheriff’s deputies, implemented hard road closures for public safety along Arlington, between Hidden Valley Nature Center Drive and Western Hills Drive.
There was no word on what might have triggered the brusher. The river bottom is teeming with homeless encampments, and debris, cooking and warming fires occur year-round.
Sandy Fire in Ventura County
A dangerous wildfire broke out in Simi Valley on May 18, quickly threatening neighborhoods, prompting evacuation orders and destroying a home.
Tens of thousands of local residents remained under evacuation orders or warnings for the blaze that burned nearly 1,400 acres. After a bout of gusty Santa Anas subsided Monday afternoon, the winds changed direction, pushing flames east toward communities along the Ventura and Los Angeles county line.
Another round of evacuation orders and warnings were issued. Containment inched up overnight, but the winds were expected to again pick up Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fast-growing Bain Fire in Riverside injures four; evacuations ordered
Reporting by City News Service, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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