A fast-growing wildfire in windy Southern California triggers evacuations
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A smoky, fast-growing wildfire broke out in windy Southern California on Friday, prompting scores of evacuation orders and warnings.
The Springs Fire broke out around 11 a.m. Friday morning and by evening had grown to approximately 5.47 square miles (14.17 square kilometers) and firefighters began to bring the blaze under control. The cause of a fire east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County is under investigation. It is not yet known how many households are under evacuation warnings or orders.
The fire was burning in a recreation area near the Moreno Valley city of about 200,000 in a populated — but not very dense — unincorporated part of Riverside County. The city is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
“It’s windy out there,” said Maggie Cline De La Rosa, public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County.
Cal Fire Riverside County spokesman Alex Izaguirre said the wind was “spreading the smoke,” prompting concerned calls from residents in neighboring cities who could see and smell the smoke.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind warning for the San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys, with winds of up to 50 mph expected through Saturday afternoon.
“Tree branches may fall and several power outages may occur,” the warning text said.
