California protection crews contain parts of wildfire that burned 4,100 acres | California
California fire protection crews were Saturday containing a wildfire in Riverside County that was fueled by high winds that broke out the previous evening and quickly spread the flames across more than 4,100 acres.
The Springs fire, about 63 miles east of Los Angeles, was at least 45% contained Saturday, a fire department spokesman said. It was 25% contained by late Friday evening.
Windy conditions that caused the fire to spread rapidly led the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a wind warning for parts of Southern California through noon Friday. Warning for winds of up to 50mph. Winds of up to 45 miles per hour were also expected on Saturday.
But Terra Fernandez, public safety information specialist for the Riverside County Fire Department, said the winds have “calmed down a little bit” since Friday, aiding firefighters’ efforts.
“We are confident,” he said. “The winds have decreased and that helps us make more progress.”
Fernandez also credited efforts to build and reinforce containment lines around the fire.
“We have scenic riding trails where a lot of the structures are, and that helps our firefighters get access,” he said. “And the increased humidity tonight will help with that.”
Crews began airlifting water and fire retardant around the fire early Saturday. Fernandez said about 260 personnel were fighting the fire, including crews from surrounding areas who built and strengthened containment lines and laid hoses.
The fire was mostly concentrated north and east of Lake Perris, burning part of the surrounding state recreation area. According to the statement, no structures were destroyed or damaged. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Ateş).
The fire triggered evacuation warnings for Moreno Valley, a city of about 200,000 that borders the Lake Perris state recreation area, while fewer than a dozen counties were under warning by 9 a.m. Saturday.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
A smaller blaze, the Crown fire, that broke out in Los Angeles County on Friday night burned 345 acres before crews could stop the fire’s advance. By Saturday morning, the fire was 74% contained and all evacuation advisories had been lifted for the unincorporated community of Acton.
As of Saturday, California has reported 504 wildland fires so far in 2026. According to Cal FireIt occurred due to above-normal temperatures and lack of precipitation. Above-average Santa Ana wind activity only helps fan the flames once the brush fire begins.
Associated Press contributed reporting
