Riverbottom Fire In Riverside Chars 50 Acres [UPDATED]

UPDATE 8:30 P.M. (Final update for evening): A wildfire that broke out Thursday in the Santa Ana River bottom near downtown Riverside blackened 50 acres and spawned multiple spot fires amid high winds before being partially contained. The blaze was reported about 11:10 a.m. on the perimeter of a Boy Scout camp, in the area of Mission Inn Boulevard and Indian Hill Road.

According to the Riverside Fire Department, flames quickly spread into deep brush along the dry river bottom, propelled southward by 30 mph winds. As of 4 p.m., the fire was 50 percent contained, and crews remained busy knocking down small spot fires ringing the main burn area.

Evacuation orders were issued for residents on the north side of Mission Inn, on the south side, around Mount Rubidoux and in places along Arfon Way, Glenwood Drive, Loring Drive, Mount Rubidoux Drive, Redwood Drive and several other side streets abutting Mount Rubidoux Park. All evacuations were lifted as of about 6:30 p.m.

A temporary evacuation center was established at the Dale Senior Center, 3936 Chestnut St., next to White Park. Some residents had also displaced to Bonaminio Park on Tequesquite Avenue, where fire crews were staging.

Arson investigators were called to the point where the fire began, but there was still no word on what triggered it.

A property on Redwood Drive was reportedly damaged by flames, but the extent of the loss was not immediately known. The backyard of a home in the 4600 block of Ninth Street caught fire, but crews rapidly deployed and kept the flames at bay.

A woman residing in the 4000 block of Redwood Drive, just off of Glenwood, crawled onto the roof of her home in an apparent attempt to douse embers and fell. She was taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment of a possible broken leg, according to reports from the scene.

Embers hurled skyward by the intense Santa Ana winds lit on palm trees along Arfon, Glenwood, Mount Rubidoux, Mission Inn, Pine Street and Redwood, sparking isolated fires with which individual engine crews had to contend. Riverside police officers cordoned off streets to assist firefighters and ensure public safety.

The Mission Inn Avenue bridge connecting Jurupa Valley and Riverside was shut down.

Engine and truck companies from Riverside County, Cal Fire, Corona, the March Air Reserve Base and other agencies assisted with battling the wind- whipped fire. By 4 p.m., some personnel were being released.

Several Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters and air tankers made runs on the blaze, mostly on the north side of Mount Rubidoux, in the vicinity of Carlson Dog Park. The choppers were using nearby Lake Evans at Fairmount Park to take on water.

All aircraft were called off and headed back to their respective bases as nightfall approached.

SEE PREVIOUS UPDATES FROM THE DAY BELOW:

UPDATE 4:25 P.M.: The so-called Riverbottom Fire near downtown Riverside is now 50 percent contained, and residents who live on the north side of Mission Inn Avenue are being allowed to return home, though evacuation orders remain in place for residents on the south side, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

UPDATE 2:07 P.M.: Riverside Fire Department officials estimate the fire burning near downtown Riverside, officially dubbed the Riverbottom Incident, has burned dozens of acres of vegetation.

"Approx 50 acres of vegetation between Indian Hill Drive & Santa Ana River Trail bike path have been affected," the agency said on Twitter. "No structures have been lost. Mandatory evacuations still in place. Local schools have kept students inside due to air quality."

UPDATE 1:15 P.M.: An area resident told Patch that many of those affected by the evacuations are staying behind to hose down their property, but they appear ready to leave in an instant if need be.

"I cruised over [to the scene] because my brother's house backs up to the river bottom," Christine Miller said. "I asked the officer what I could do to help, and then I just jumped out and started telling people about the evacuations."

Miller said she could see flames, but they were mainly off Mount Rubidoux Boulevard.

"Most people were sheltering in place," she said, adding that many had taken to using garden hoses. "People were concerned with wetting their property."

One of those people apparently was injured in the process. Reports from the scene indicate that a woman fell from her roof and broke her leg while using a hose. An ambulance was spotted rushing to the scene.

UPDATE 12:55 P.M.: City News Service reports that a woman was trying to keep the fire from igniting on her roof, and fell and broke her leg in the process. An ambulance was sent to the scene to take her to the hospital.

UPDATE 12:42 P.M.: According to the Riverside Fire Department, here are the streets affected by mandatory evacuations related to the fire burning in and near the Santa Ana River bottom this afternoon: Indian Hill, Glenwood, Miramonte, Loring and Mt. Rubidioux Dr.

UPDATE 12:35 P.M.: Riverside Fire officials say an evacuation shelter is being set up at the Dale Senior Center. That's located at 3636 Chestnut Street. (Scroll down for video from the scene.)

UPDATE 12:25 P.M.: A wildfire broke out Thursday in the Santa Ana River bottom near downtown Riverside, quickly spreading to residential areas and threatening homes, damaging at least one. The non-injury blaze was reported about 11:10 a.m. on the perimeter of a Boy Scout camp, near Mission Boulevard and Indian Hill Road.

According to the Riverside Fire Department, flames quickly spread into deep brush along the dry river bottom, propelled southward by 25-30 mph winds. More than five acres burned in less than an hour.

Residents along Indian Hill Road, Ladera Lane, Ninth Street and Redwood Drive were under threat from the wildfire. California Highway Patrol officers watching from the Pomona (60) Freeway went onto Indian Hill to help evacuate several properties.

A property on Redwood was reportedly damaged by flames, but few details were available. The backyard of a home in the 4600 block of Ninth caught fire, but crews deployed to provide structure protection and kept the fire at bay.

Embers hurled skyward by the high winds lit on palm trees along Redwood, Mission Inn and Glenwood Drive, sparking isolated fires with which individual engine crews had to contend.

Multiple engine and truck companies from Cal Fire, Corona and other agencies poured into the city to assist with battling the wind-whipped brusher.

There was no word on how it started.

UPDATE 12 P.M.: Palm trees are reportedly catching fire as the blaze along the Santa Ana River bottom is sending embers flying nearby, according to 911 dispatchers. Cal Fire resources have been dispatched to the scene, according to City News Service..

The fire was first reported at about 11:13 a.m.

UPDATE 11:45 A.M.: Homes along Indian Hill Road near downtown Riverside are now under immediate threat from the Santa Ana River bottom fire and have been evacuated. The California Highway Patrol is also clearing traffic from the roadway, according to reports from the scene.

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RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside Fire Department crews have deployed to a brush fire in the Santa Ana River bottom, just off of Mission Boulevard. The blaze is currently a half-acre, and no homes or other structures are immediately threatened, according to reports from the scene.

Meanwhile, the region is under a red flag warning as gusts of 35 mph were expected to hit Riverside.

Riverside Fire: Reportedly out of the river bottom now: https://t.co/CrIpw2Xcdd pic.twitter.com/d3CdF6Oa3f
— Renee Schiavone (@NewsNay) December 21, 2017

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Images 1 and 5 by Christine Miller, Others are Banning-Beaumont Patch photos by E. Fernandez / City News Service contributed to this report