Fire erupts near Cahuilla reservation, elsewhere in Riverside area

A brush fire that erupted on the edge of the Cahuilla Indian Reservation south of Aguanga has burned 2,069 acres and was just 5% contained Saturday as crews contended with a cluster of spot fires breaking out ahead of the main blaze.

The Bonny Fire was reported at 2:50 p.m. Thursday near Bonny and Barber lanes, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Full containment isn’t expected until Aug. 4.

“The Bonny Fire displayed moderate fire activity overnight and continues to burn in extremely rugged and steep terrain,” fire officials said in their Saturday morning update. “Today, the escalating temperatures pose additional challenges for firefighting efforts. Moreover, there is a change of thunderstorms developing in the afternoon, heightening the risk of erratic fire behavior.”

Fire officials also reported that a firefighter was injured battling the blaze, but offered no further details.

“Firefighters will continue constructing containment lines around the perimeter,” according to the statement. “Simultaneously, they are providing structure defense measures to safeguard the residents of Terwilliger Valley from the approaching fire.”

Shortly after it started Thursday, the fire nearly swept across Chapman and Johnston roads, prompting Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters to unload in the immediate vicinity of several homes, protecting them from damage, according to reports from the scene.

On Thursday evening, the head of the fire jumped a road amid light winds and moved into hills, creating challenges for ground personnel.

One outbuilding and a vehicle were destroyed Friday afternoon.

Five Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters were rotating in and out of the area, providing support to an estimated 150 to 200 personnel on the ground, composed of Riverside County engine and hand crews, as well as strike teams and other firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, Hemet Fire Department, Murrieta Fire & Rescue and other agencies. Hot shot crews from Kern County were also dispatched to the area.

An evacuation order went into effect Thursday for the area south of Bailey Road, north of Running Springs Road, west of Chapman Road and east of Bonny Lane. The order was expanded Friday afternoon to include all territory north of the San Diego County line, south of Bailey Road, west of Anza-Borrego State Park and east of Bonny.

Evacuation warnings also remained in place for the area south of Tulle Peak Road, north and east of the Cleveland National Forest boundary and west of Terwilliger Road.

The area is sparsely populated.

A care and reception center was established at Hamilton High School in Anza. The county Department of Animal Services stationed personnel at the location to assist with displaced animals.

The fire prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a smoke advisory.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Brush fire burns 103 acres in Banning

A brush fire in Banning that burned 103 acres of brush was fully contained Friday.

The Sunset Fire was reported at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mesa and Gilman streets and reported fully contained at 7:09 p.m. Friday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire had burned about 20 acres by 7:30 p.m. Thursday and had grown to 103 acres by around 8:50 p.m. Thursday, the department reported.

An evacuation order was issued Thursday night for the area south of Silver Star Drive, east of Sunset Avenue, north of Wilson Street, and west of 16th Street, then downgraded to an evacuation warning later Thursday night.

An evacuation warning was issued Thursday night for the area north of Wilson Street, east of 16th Street, south of Repplier Road and west of San Gorgonio Avenue, then lifted.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Blaze breaks out in San Bernardino National Forest, near Highway 243

A wildfire broke out Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest north of Mountain Center, burning in heavy vegetation but not threatening any properties.

The blaze was reported about 3:15 p.m. in the area of Highway 243 and Saunders Meadow Road, according to the California Highway Patrol and U.S. Forest Service.

USFS spokesman Gus Bahena told City News Service that multiple Forest Service engine crews, supported by crews from the Idyllwild Fire Protection District, were sent to the location, but they were not initially able to ascertain the approximate dimensions of the blaze due to the terrain.

No Cal Fire aircraft or ground crews were requested to assist as of 4:45 p.m.

The blaze was in heavy vegetation, not in the immediate vicinity of a populated area, according to latitude and longitude coordinates provided by public safety officials.

There was no immediate word on how the fire started.

Fire Breaks out at truck tire repair facility in Moreno Valley

A fire that erupted Thursday in a tire repair lot on the east end of Moreno Valley was contained before reaching several tractor-trailers parked at the facility.

The noninjury blaze was reported about 12:20 p.m. in the 28800 block of Spruce Avenue, just north of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in a line of truck tires, posing an immediate threat to several big rigs.

Firefighters quickly established a perimeter, preventing the blaze from reaching the trucks.

By 12:50 p.m., the fire was completely contained, according to reports from the scene.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Updated July 29, 2023, 11:14 a.m.