On Friday, smoke rolled through the gusty conditions of Southern California as firefighters worked hard to control fast-spreading wildfires, leading to some residents evacuating and community colleges shutting down temporarily.
The Springs Fire ignited around 11 a.m. and by evening had expanded to roughly 6.5 square miles.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the fire, which is located east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County. It’s still uncertain how many homes have been given evacuation alerts or orders.
By Friday night, firefighting crews were making progress, employing helicopters, fire engines, and water trucks in their efforts.
The blaze is situated in a less populated unincorporated area near Moreno Valley, a city home to approximately 200,000 residents.
Moreno Valley lies about 16 miles southeast of Riverside and 104 miles east of Los Angeles.
“It’s quite windy out here,” remarked Maggie Klein de la Rosa, a public information officer from Riverside County’s Forestry and Fire Protection Department.
Spokesperson Alex Yzaguirre for Cal Fire Riverside County mentioned that they received concerns from people in surrounding areas who are noticing the smoke being carried by the wind.
Due to the fire impacting air quality, Moreno Valley College closed its main campus on Friday and Saturday.
The institution urged all students, faculty, and staff to leave immediately through an announcement on Instagram.
California Congressman Raul Ruiz noted on social media that he is keeping a close watch on the situation.
“If an evacuation order is in place, please evacuate at once,” he advised.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the San Bernardino and Riverside county valleys until Saturday afternoon, predicting gusts up to 50 mph.
The advisory warns that tree branches could snap, potentially causing several power outages.
