RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Crews were actively making strides in battling the Springs Fire, a rapidly spreading wildfire that ignited Friday morning in Riverside County, California. As of Saturday, the blaze has engulfed about 6.3 square miles (16 square kilometers) east of Moreno Valley and is reported to be 45% contained, up from 25% the previous day.
In response to the fire's growth, more than a dozen zones within the county remain under mandatory evacuation orders or warnings, affecting an unknown number of households as emergency responders work diligently.
Firefighters are contending with strong winds, with the National Weather Service predicting sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 kph) and gusts that could reach up to 45 mph (72 kph) through Saturday afternoon. Additionally, an air quality alert has been issued due to high levels of harmful fine particulate matter in the atmosphere as a result of the smoke.
Hundreds of personnel, supported by helicopters and water tenders, are engaged in firefighting efforts in this unincorporated area of Riverside County, which is situated near the city of Moreno Valley, home to about 200,000 residents. The city lies approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
In response to the fire's growth, more than a dozen zones within the county remain under mandatory evacuation orders or warnings, affecting an unknown number of households as emergency responders work diligently.
Firefighters are contending with strong winds, with the National Weather Service predicting sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 kph) and gusts that could reach up to 45 mph (72 kph) through Saturday afternoon. Additionally, an air quality alert has been issued due to high levels of harmful fine particulate matter in the atmosphere as a result of the smoke.
Hundreds of personnel, supported by helicopters and water tenders, are engaged in firefighting efforts in this unincorporated area of Riverside County, which is situated near the city of Moreno Valley, home to about 200,000 residents. The city lies approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
