Multiple Brush Fires Burn In Jurupa Valley

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — A brush fire that broke out Monday in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley spawned multiple spot blazes that altogether burned about five acres before Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters began knocking them down.

The initial non-injury blaze was reported at 1:33 p.m. in the area of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a slow rate through heavy vegetation.

The main fire led to two or three spot blazes offset from the point of origin, according to reports from the scene.

Two Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters initiated drops before firefighters could make their way down to the dry river bottom, holding the flames within a confined area.

Officials said the thick vegetation was making access difficult.

No homes or other structures were immediately threatened.

Winds were light and variable in the Riverside metropolitan area Monday afternoon.

There was no word on what might have triggered the brusher. The river bottom is replete with homeless encampments, and cooking, warming and debris fires cause year-round impacts.