A wildfire that erupted Sunday in Riverside County has burned three homes and damaged several others, prompting officials to order evacuations for an estimated 100 residents, authorities confirmed to KTLA.
The ‘Hawarden Fire’ started at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the 6500 block of Hawarden Drive in Riverside and quickly spread to 500 acres as of Monday morning. “Forward progress” has been stopped according to Cal Fire.
In a video of a portion of the blaze obtained by KTLA, crews can be seen attempting to douse flames as they engulf several structures. A police officer is also seen carrying a dog out of a structure that was threatened by fire.
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
Crews on the scene of a fire in the city of Riverside on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV) 
An officer with the Riverside Police Department seen evacuating a dog amid a massive wildfire on July 21, 2024. (OnScene TV)
Evacuations, which were being handled by the Riverside Police Department, were in place for the following areas:
- Eagle Crest Court and Chartwell Drive
- Horace Street and Hawarden Drive
- Berry Road and Via Vista moving toward Trautwein and Alessandro
In a press conference Sunday afternoon, officials in Riverside said there are 50 fire engines, 20 of them from the City of Riverside on the scene, with the others coming from assisting agencies. Authorities also noted that there were approximately 1,500 homes in the area that were potentially threatened.
A temporary evacuation center was set up for those forced to leave their homes at the Orange Terrace Community Center at 20010 Orange Terrace Parkway in Riverside.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. So far, no injuries have been reported.
About 17 miles away, another blaze, the ‘Eagle Fire’ near Corona has also triggered evacuations. It was located in the area of Eagle Canyon Road and Cajalco Road, which connects Corona to Lake Mathews.
As of the most recent update, that wildfire had burned 450 acres and was at 25% containment.
