Bain Fire Battle To Cost RivCo $6.45 Million

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The initial estimate on total costs stemming from operations to contain and mop up a 1,473-acre wildfire that caused significant damage in and around the Santa Ana River bottom is over $6 million, according to figures released Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Riverside County supervisors formally approved a cost- sharing agreement associated with the Bain Fire, establishing obligations of the county, Cal Fire and the City of Riverside in paying their respective share of expenses for suppression and cleanup of the blaze, which lasted from May 19 to May 25.

A provisional total cost estimate wasn't available Tuesday, but on Wednesday, county Fire Department officials released to City News Service an estimate of $6.45 million. That figure, however, may be "subject to change," spokeswoman April Newman noted, because it can take "months, and in some cases years, to capture the full costs associated with a larger incident."

Newman said previously that "no additional costs" were created by the fire containment and suppression operations, which were factored into the agency's 2025-26 fiscal year budget. The Riverside Fire Department confirmed the same on Tuesday. An exact breakdown of who carried the greatest and least costs wasn't available.

The blaze crossed from Jurupa Valley into Riverside, as well as the "state responsibility area" under Cal Fire's sole jurisdiction. The county's portion of costs is tied to Jurupa Valley, which contracts with the county for fire protection.

"Due to the location and threat of the Bain Fire, the fire costs are shared by the county, Cal Fire and the city of Riverside," according to a statement posted by the Executive Office on Tuesday. "A one-time cost share agreement is necessary to distribute the costs of fighting this specific fire incident. No budget adjustments are requested."

The brush fire broke out on May 19 and burned through heavy vegetation around the Santa Ana River bottom, expanding throughout the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area, approaching a Riverside neighborhood. The blaze's forward progress was stopped on May 22, but it was not declared 100% contained until three days later.

At its height, more than two dozen engine crews, along with multiple hand crews, seven water-dropping helicopters and a dozen air tankers battled the brusher.

Residential properties were threatened but not damaged.

An official finding regarding what led to the wildfire has not been released. The Santa Ana River bottom is replete with homeless encampments, and cooking, debris and warming fires are a threat year-round.

The Hidden Valley preserve sustained extensive damage, impacting the Nature Center building on Arlington Avenue, playgrounds, hiking and equestrian trails and other amenities, some of which have since been restored, though the work continues.