KTLA

Lake Fire in Jurupa Valley prompts evacuations after breaking out in Santa Ana River bottom; forward progress halted

A small brush fire that broke out in Jurupa Valley Monday afternoon and prompted evacuation orders around the Santa Ana River bottom officials said.

The Lake Fire erupted shortly after 11 a.m. in the Santa Ana River bottom near Lakeview Avenue and Pedley Road, according to Cal Fire Riverside. By 9 p.m., all forward progress had stopped, the agency said.


As of 7:10 p.m., the blaze had scorched 150 acres and was 5% contained. Officials had earlier given a larger size, but downgraded it citing more accurate mapping.

Moderate to heavy brush was burning in the area, firefighters said earlier in the afternoon. But when Sky5 was above the blaze Monday evening it appeared crews had handled large active flames, though the area was still smoldering.

An evacuation order was in effect for Riverside residents east of Van Buren Boulevard; north of Clay Street, General Road and Riverview Drive; south of Limonite Avenue and and west of Peralta Place.

The evacuation order for the following neighborhood was changed to an evacuation warning as of 7:30 p.m.: South of Limonite Avenue to the river bottom, east of Downey Street and west of Van Buren Boulevard. And as of 9 p.m., evacuation orders in the following areas were also downgraded to warnings: east of Van Buren Boulevard, west of Riverview Drive and north of the river bottom.

Another evacuation warning was also in place in Riverside for residents east of Van Buren Boulevard, north of Jurupa Avenue, west of Fremont Street and south of the river bottom.

Evacuation orders were shifting throughout the day, and the latest information can be found here.

An evacuation center is open at Patriot High School, located at 4355 Camino Real in Jurupa Valley.

Crews are combating the flames from the ground and in the air.

The Murrieta and Corona fire departments were also assisting in the firefight.

Check back for updates on this developing story.