RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews battled a smoky and fast-growing wildfire Friday in windy Southern California that forced evacuations and closed a community college temporarily.
The Springs Fire broke out around 11 a.m. and grew to about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers) by evening. The cause is under investigation, and details regarding the number of households affected by evacuation orders are still being assessed.
Firefighting crews, including helicopters and ground units, have begun to contain the blaze. The fire is located in a less densely populated area near Moreno Valley, a city home to about 200,000 residents, situated about 10 miles southeast of Riverside.
“The wind is affecting fire behavior and smoke spread,” noted Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for Cal Fire Riverside County.
Due to deteriorating air quality, Moreno Valley College closed its campus, urging all students and staff to evacuate immediately.
U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz emphasized the urgency for residents under evacuation orders to leave their homes without delay. Meanwhile, a wind advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect, predicting gusts of up to 50 mph, which could potentially lead to power outages and downed tree limbs.
