Springs Fire Mostly Contained as Evacuations Lift Near Moreno Valley
Springs Fire Mostly Contained as Evacuations Lift Near Moreno Valley
Crews report the Springs Fire is 75% contained with many evacuation orders lifted as Santa Ana winds ease, allowing containment work near Moreno Valley.
A smoky wildfire in southern California that sparked evacuations is now mostly under control, officials said Saturday afternoon. The Springs Fire covers roughly 16 square kilometres in Riverside County, about 103 kilometres east of Los Angeles, and was at least 75% contained as of Saturday. Fire managers earlier said containment was at 25% on Friday, with crews working to strengthen lines around the perimeter. Evacuation orders were lifted for a large swath of neighborhoods Saturday morning, and officials expected the remaining orders to be rescinded by the end of the day.
The blaze was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds with gusts reaching up to 72 kph on Saturday, though winds had dissipated somewhat since Friday, aiding firefighting efforts. Natural equestrian trails around the area helped firefighters access the fire and build effective containment lines. Air operations dropped water and retardant around the fire as crews worked to seal the perimeter. About 260 personnel were involved, including teams from across the region, focused on strengthening containment lines and deploying hoses.
Locally, the fire is in a populated unincorporated area that serves as a recreational region near Moreno Valley, a city with a population around 200,000. No structures have been damaged or destroyed to date, according to public safety officials, though a handful of zones remained under mandatory evacuation orders earlier in the day. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as responders continue to monitor the situation and work toward full containment.
