Brush Fire in Riverside Prompts Evacuations Near Santa Ana River

A brush fire in Riverside has prompted authorities on Monday to order mandatory evacuations for some homes near the Santa Ana River.

A fire burns in the Riverside area on Dec. 4, 2017. (Credit: Watchara Phomicinda/Southern California News Group​)

Residents west of Van Buren Boulevard and Jurupa Avenue near the Santa Ana River have been ordered to evacuate, Ryan Railsback of the Riverside Police Department said.

Officers were going door to door, Railsback said.

The fire burns amid a critical risk of fire due to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity across Southern California. Wind gusts of 44 mph are predicted for the Riverside area, according to the National Weather Service.

A red flag warning is in effect through Thursday night.

Smoke from a fire spotted, west of the Airport. Possibly Santa Ana River bottom? @CAL_FIRE http://pic.twitter.com/xOeQAiJHRK

— Riverside Airport (@AirportKRAL) December 4, 2017

Just northwest of our shelter; Santa Ana River turf; Jurupa Valley. Firefighters already on it. http://pic.twitter.com/na6mryzBh3

— RivCO animalSERVICES (@helpinRIVcoPETS) December 4, 2017

Riverside City Firefighters put out hot spots along the bike path as they battle against powerful wind gusts http://pic.twitter.com/Dww5FPNnwP

— Watchara Phomicinda (@watcharaphotog) December 4, 2017

from KTLA http://ift.tt/2ij7duO