Hill Fire Evacs Lifted, Containment Grows In Jurupa Valley

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Hill Fire in Jurupa Valley burned more than 600 acres Wednesday and forced several neighborhoods to evacuate before those evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday evening, as containment reached 30 percent.

The brush fire has burned 628 acres since breaking out around 10 a.m., authorities said. Authorities had ordered evacuations along a several mile stretch south of Highway 60, which were lifted by 6:45 p.m.

One civilian was hospitalized with minor injuries, and one mobile home and one residential structure have been damaged, Cal Fire said.

The state has secured federal funding from FEMA to continue fighting the blaze, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday afternoon — the fifth such grant that California has received in the last few weeks to combat wildfires.

Power outages were also possible in the area Wednesday afternoon, as fire officials asked Southern California Edison to de-energize power lines between Mission Boulevard and Pedley Road to prevent collapsed transmission lines from starting additional fires.

Two care and reception centers were set up: one at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (7447 Scholar Way, Corona) and another at Patriot High School (4355 Camino Real, Jurupa Valley). Large and small animals can be taken to the Western County Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd, and an animal control officer is also stationed at Patriot High School.

The Hill Fire broke out shortly before 10 a.m. near the intersection of Granite Hill Drive and Pyrite Street in Jurupa Valley. Highway 60 has been reopened after being temporarily shut down in the area of the fire.

Earlier Wednesday, a separate brush fire broke out in the Nuevo area, burning multiple structures.The fires are arriving as strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity are significantly raising the threat of wildfires in Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

The fire department said 189 firefighters from 30 engine companies were on the scene, plus a water tender and two bulldozers.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the fire department said.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Residents of the Riverscape Heights Healthcare Center in Jurupa Valley are evacuated as heavy smoke and fire approach the facility Wednesday #HillFire pic.twitter.com/JbVgccobiz
— Will Lester (@WillLesterPhoto) October 30, 2019