Update: This story has been updated with new information.
A brush fire that erupted Monday in Mead Valley scorched nearly 700 acres and threatened multiple rural properties amid high winds as Cal Fire aircraft fought to slow it.
After hours of the firefighting effort, Cal Fire said at 5:45 p.m. Monday that the blaze’s “spread “forward rate of spread” had been stopped. The Juniper Fire had spread to 689 acres and was at 30% containment as of 5:45 p.m.
Firefighters were planning to remain on scene overnight into Tuesday working on full containment.
The initial blaze was reported at 11:28 a.m. Monday in the area of Idaleona Road and Juniper Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Juniper Fire mandatory evacuations
Mandatory evacuations were in effect for the area north of Rocky Hills Road and south of Orange Avenue and covering west of Forrest Road and east of El Nido Road. Firefighters established defensive perimeters around several homes, where sheds, outbuildings and numerous abandoned vehicles were parked, according to reports from the scene.
Winds were blowing 10 to 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph, officials said.
A care center for impacted residents was set up Monday afternoon at Citrus Hill High School, located at 18150 Wood Road in Perris.
Juniper Fire road closures
Santa Rosa Mine Road is closed between Juniper Road and Post Road.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.
The fire was one of several burning in Riverside County on Monday, with the largest being the Wolf Fire near Banning.
City News Service contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Juniper Fire at 689 acres; evacuations ordered. But Cal Fire says it’s stopped the spread
Reporting by Tom Coulter, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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