🌱 New Railroad Fire ignites in Riverside County with containment still unknown.
Riverside, California Patch AM: a 5 min readGreetings Riverside! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Riverside PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
- 💙 MyEzMed Behavioral Health Care
- Celestial Solar & Water Systems, Inc — (858) 790-2700
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
In today's newsletter:
- New Railroad Fire ignites in Riverside County with containment still unknown.
- Could sheriff budget cuts leave some Riverside County neighborhoods with fewer deputies?
- Can a $170,000 income really buy a median Riverside County home?
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 101 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and hot, temps: high: 103, low: 71.
- Thursday: Toasty conditions, with a high of 106 and low of 71 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Breaking: Railroad Fire reported in Riverside County on Aug. 17 (fresnobee.com) — A new wildfire called the Railroad Fire was reported late Monday morning on federal land in Riverside County, and officials have not yet released information on containment or cause. The blaze, burning under Bureau of Land Management oversight, had been active for about three hours when first reported, and residents should stay alert for updates from fire authorities as conditions evolve. 
2. Riverside County sheriff warns hundreds of department jobs could be cut amid budget dispute (abc7.com) — Riverside County’s sheriff is warning that more than 600 department positions could be cut, potentially reducing patrols in unincorporated communities while contract cities like Moreno Valley and Temecula stay fully staffed. He argues the county’s latest budget underfunds his agency by over $100 million and vows to keep paying deputies even if it means going over budget, while county leaders defend their fiscal choices.
3. Home Prices Keep Climbing In Riverside County; Here's What It Takes To Buy (patch.com) — If you’re hoping to buy a home in Riverside County, you now need roughly $170,000 in annual income to afford the July median price of $649,000. The article explains how rising prices and higher mortgage rates are squeezing local buyers, compares Riverside County trends with statewide and national affordability, and notes that sales are slowing even as costs keep climbing.
4. IE Varsity Football Rankings: Centennial starts No. 1 in entering the 2026 season (pressenterprise.com) — Riverside football fans can size up local teams as King, Ramona, Riverside Poly, Hillcrest, Norte Vista, Orange Vista, and Vista del Lago all factor into the Inland Empire preseason rankings and bubble list. The piece breaks down top-ranked programs, key returning players, and opening-week matchups across the region as the 2026 high school season kicks off.
5. All evacuation orders, warnings lifted for fast-moving Taffle Fire in Riverside County (dailydispatch.com) — All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted after the Taffle Fire burned 77 acres in the unincorporated Riverside County community of Sage. CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire crews stopped the fast‑moving brush fire at 50% containment with no injuries or property damage reported, after residents briefly had to leave or prepare to leave their homes.
📸 Around Riverside
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Riverside
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
-
Planning Day Schedule, Dismissal 12:35 PM - Aug 19
Frank Augustus Miller Middle School Riverside, CA 92501
8:00 am -
Volleyball, Girls JV vs Elsinore
Arlington High Riverside, CA 92501
4:30 pm -
Volleyball, Girls VR vs Elsinore
Arlington High Riverside, CA 92501
5:30 pm -
Picture Day (During P.E Classes)
Sierra Middle School Riverside, CA 92501
7:00 am -
Football (11 person) JV @ Ramona/Riverside
Martin Luther King High School Riverside, CA 92501
4:00 pm -
Football (11 person) FR vs Ramona/Riverside
Martin Luther King High School Riverside, CA 92501
4:00 pm -
Water Polo, Boys VR vs Palos Verdes
Martin Luther King High School Riverside, CA 92501
4:00 pm -
Volleyball, Girls JV @ Oak Hills
Martin Luther King High School 7625 Cataba Road, Oak Hills, California, 92344
4:15 pm
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
📣 Riverside Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Connective Play In-Person
Home Gardens Branch Library Home Gardens Library, Home Gardens
11:30 am -
Ambassador Meeting
Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce Perris Chamber Office
12:00 pm -
Boys Water Polo vs Centennial/Corona
Perris Union High Paloma Valley High School, 31375 Bradley Rd, Menifee, CA 92584, USA
4:00 pm -
Back to School Night
Midland Elementary Moreno Valley, CA 92557
5:00 pm
Tuesday August 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Alivio del dolor de rodilla—sin cirugía—ahora disponible en el Valle de Coachella y el Inland Empire
Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists presenta un tratamiento mínimamente invasivo para la artritis de rodilla Los residentes del Valle de Coachella ... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Found this female dog
Hello, is anyone missing their dog Please contact me . 562-233-6937 (Nextdoor Alessandro Heights) - These pups are running on Washington.
Trying to keep them here to see if anyone claims them and not get hit by car. We have them safe please reach out if they are yours. (Nextdoor Woodcrest)
- The Learning Experience posted a job opening for Floater/Front Desk Opener and Closer in Riverside. Apply here.
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for USPS Mail Clerk in Riverside. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Riverside here.
Ok Riverside! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.