RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews were making progress Saturday battling a fast-growing and smoky wildfire in southern California that broke out Friday morning, prompting mandatory evacuations and warnings.
Now encompassing roughly 6.3 square miles (about 16 square kilometers) east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, the Springs Fire was reported to be 45% contained on Saturday, an increase from 25% the previous day.
More than a dozen zones in the county remained under mandatory evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, although six have since been lifted. The exact number of affected households is currently unknown.
Firefighters faced strong winds on Saturday, with the National Weather Service advising of gusts ranging from 15 mph to 45 mph. An air quality alert has been issued, as wildfire smoke poses health risks due to fine particle pollution levels.
Hundreds of personnel are actively combating the blaze using helicopters, engines, and water tenders. The wildfire is situated in a densely populated unincorporated part of Riverside County, near Moreno Valley, which has a population of approximately 200,000 residents. Moreno Valley is located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
Now encompassing roughly 6.3 square miles (about 16 square kilometers) east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, the Springs Fire was reported to be 45% contained on Saturday, an increase from 25% the previous day.
More than a dozen zones in the county remained under mandatory evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, although six have since been lifted. The exact number of affected households is currently unknown.
Firefighters faced strong winds on Saturday, with the National Weather Service advising of gusts ranging from 15 mph to 45 mph. An air quality alert has been issued, as wildfire smoke poses health risks due to fine particle pollution levels.
Hundreds of personnel are actively combating the blaze using helicopters, engines, and water tenders. The wildfire is situated in a densely populated unincorporated part of Riverside County, near Moreno Valley, which has a population of approximately 200,000 residents. Moreno Valley is located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
