RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Firefighters were working to contain multiple fires on Wednesday as several evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect, and some were downgraded, fire officials said.
Evacuation orders for the Bain Fire remained in place for zones: JUR-0180, JUR-0181A, JUR-0182, and evacuation warnings were also effective for: JUR-0176A, JUR-0179, JUR-0094B, JUR-0095B, JUR-0097B, JUR-0181B, JUR-0098B, JUR-0183, JUR-0184, JUR-0185, RIV-0186, RIV-0313, RIV-0312, RIV-0310, RIV-0309, RIV-0307, RIV-0306, and NOR-0305B, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
Around 7 p.m., fire officials said all evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for residents affected by the Bain Fire.
A care and reception center was set up at Skyview Event Center at 5257 Wineville Avenue in Jurupa Valley to help evacuees with temporary shelter, food, water, reunification assistance, and additional support. Animal Services will also be at the center with mobile kennels to help evacuees who have pets.
Motorists were urged to use extreme caution when traveling through the areas as firefighters continue battling the blaze along highways.
The Bain Fire was reported at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday on the north side of the dry channel, in the area of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue, just north of the Hidden Valley Nature Center, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Firefighters also continued battling the Verona Fire in the unincorporated area of Green Acres. All evacuation warnings and orders remained in place for the wind-driven brush fire that broke out north of Homeland and scorched more than 500 acres, destroyed outbuildings and other structures and burned at a critical rate of spread Tuesday evening. As of 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the blaze was only 5 percent containment, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
Around 7 p.m., fire officials said evacuation orders for the Verano Fire had been downgraded to warnings east of Minton Road between Juniper Flats and Highway 74, except near the perimeter of the fire.
A care and reception center was set up at 2700 W. Johnston Avenue to help evacuees with temporary shelter, food, water, reunification assistance, and additional support.
The agency said numerous engine and hand crews from the county, Riverside Fire Department, Corona Fire Department, Ontario Fire Department and other agencies were sent to the Bain Fire, encountering wind-driven flames moving through thick brush.
The flames spread toward groups of homes in the area of Arlington and Western avenues in Riverside, leading to evacuation orders for dozens of residences around that intersection, including adjacent ones that intersect Sunnyvale Drive, Mountain High Drive, Western Avenue and Western Hills Drive. Evacuation warnings were also issued for additional neighborhoods in the area of Sandy Lane and Valley Drive. Specific locations were identifiable via a digital map at protect.genasys.com/search.
RELATED: Hundreds Of Acres Burning In Riverside County Due To Wildfires
Three residents suffered smoke inhalation, while another person suffered unspecified traumatic injuries, according to reports from the scene. All the victims were transported to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his office was working with local and state partners to support efforts to fight the Bain Fire, and secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide resources to battle the brush fire.
The Riverside County brush fires were among several raging in Southern California as wildfire season picks up, including the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley which has scorched more than 1,600 acres as of Wednesday morning and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
Three Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters and four air tankers initiated runs on the brusher just after 1 p.m. Two choppers with night-flying capability were assigned to the blaze. They were slated to remain in operation most of the night.
Riverside Police Department officers and sheriff's deputies implemented hard road closures for public safety along Arlington, between Hidden Valley Nature Center Drive and Western Hills Drive. Later in the afternoon, closures were also put into effect on Van Buren Boulevard, between Jurupa Avenue and Clay Street, in addition to Tyler Street at Jurupa Avenue.
The Western Riverside County Animal Shelter at Clay Street and Van Buren Boulevard in Jurupa Valley was under an evacuation warning.
"The fire is now 1,374 acres and 10% contained. Air and ground resources will remain on scene overnight, working diligently to build containment lines around the perimeter of the fire," Cal Fire posted on X at 8:30 p.m.
"Air resources will also be assigned throughout the evening, dropping water and retardant. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. Please avoid the area, as heavy equipment and personnel continue working and will be entering and exiting the area."
Power lines were down in the immediate vicinity of the river bottom, increasing dangers for firefighters and residents. The lines were reportedly de- energized for safety. It was unclear how many SoCal Edison and Riverside Public Utilities customers were without electricity.
There was no word on what might have triggered the Bain Fire. The river bottom is teeming with homeless encampments, and debris, cooking and warming fires occur year-round.
For a searchable map of the evacuation areas, visit: https://go.genasys.com/b6u2z5
City News Service contributed to this report.
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