Fire Races Through San Timoteo Canyon, Perris Controlled Burn

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters battled multiple blazes in Riverside County Wednesday.

A wildfire ignited just north of Moreno Valley in the San Timoteo Canyon area around 10 a.m., according to reports. Identified as the Viper Fire, this blaze scorched 15 acres at a "slow to moderate rate," fire officials said.

Approximately 200 firefighters were at the scene which originated in the 29900 block of San Timoteo Canyon Road. Due to the inaccessible terrain, four tankers and a helicopter were called to aid the firefight. Local firefighters were assisted by departments from San Bernardino, San Diego, Calimesa, March Air Reserve Base, and the City of Riverside Fire Department.

Thus far, no injuries or evacuations were expected from this blaze.

The second fire has blanketed the Lake Perris area with smoke from a prescribed burn, according to Cal Fire.

A smoke advisory was released for the Lake Perris area during the controlled exercise, where they assisted the California State Parks Department.

"Smoke will be highly visible near Lake Perris throughout the day," they said.