Mission Fire threatens structures in Riverside County's Jurupa Valley
A brush fire burned through 17 acres in Jurupa Valley, threatening structures before firefighters managed to control the blaze and keep it from spreading Friday, authorities said.
It was reported at 4:03 p.m. near Mission Boulevard and Crestmore Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department, with flames moving at a moderate rate in heavy fuels. The fire sparked amid a red flag warning issued by forecasters for several parts of Southern California, including Riverside County, due to certain weather conditions increasing wildfire risks.
At 5 p.m., fire officials said it was estimated to be 25 acres and 0% contained. However, in an update at 8 p.m., officials said the wildfire's forward progress had been stopped and mapped at 17 acres and it was 40% contained.
Earlier, the National Weather Service announced a red flag warning for much of the Inland Empire, with especially dry, strong winds heightening the risk of wildfires breaking out and quickly spreading. Santa Ana winds swept through the region Friday.
Forecasters said valleys in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were at especially high risk, with winds forecasted to be moving at 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts reaching up to 55 miles per hour.