Mandatory Evacuations Ordered As Flames Blaze In Moreno Valley, 350 Acres Burned
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Several fires erupted Thursday across Southern California as strong Santa Ana winds buffeted the region.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Moreno Valley on Reche Canyon Road, east of Reche Vista Drive and west of Locust Avenue as a brush fire broke out in the 9300 block of Reche Canyon Road. Those evacuation orders were lifted at 9 p.m.
Reche Canyon drive from Reche Vista to Locust Drive was open only to residents to come in and out. Residents returning home were told to be careful as they returned to their homes as firefighters continued working in the area.
CalFire Riverside said the fire held steady at 350 acres overnight and was 10 percent contained.
Another wildfire erupted in Calimesa at Sandalwood Drive and Seventh Street, just off of I-10 that burned several mobile homes and threatened an elementary school.
The fire broke out as the Southern California Edison utility turned off power for customers in an attempt to prevent electrical equipment from starting wildfires. It is not clear whether the power was out in the area of Fontana where the fire started.
Near Corona, another wildfire erupted at 12:05 p.m. just west of Lake Mathews in the 20300 block of Eagle Canyon Road.
The flames quickly scorched 9 acres amid 15-20 mph winds.
The fire was said to be 100 percent contained as of 6:00 p.m.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Miles away in Fontana, another fire broke out in the 9300 block of Pam Lane.
Multiple power lines were reportedly down in the area.
Firefighters were working to contain flames from spreading to homes.
Cal Fire Riverside reported the forward spread had stopped in Fontana as of 1:30 p.m.
The causes of the fires were not immediately known.