RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews are battling a rapidly growing wildfire in Southern California that has forced some residents to evacuate and a community college to temporarily close its doors.
The Springs Fire ignited around 11 a.m. Friday and has expanded to approximately 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers) by evening. The cause of the fire, located east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, is still under investigation.
With hundreds of firefighters fighting the blaze using helicopters, engines, and water tenders, efforts to contain the fire were underway by Friday night. The fire is encroaching on a less densely populated area of Riverside County, specifically a recreational zone near Moreno Valley, which houses around 200,000 residents.
It’s windy out there, emphasized Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Alex Izaguirre, a Cal Fire spokesperson, noted the wind is influencing the spread of smoke, raising concerns among residents in nearby cities.
As a precaution, Moreno Valley College's main campus was shut down due to deteriorating air quality caused by the smoke from the fire.
California U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz has been actively monitoring the situation and advised those affected by the evacuation orders to leave immediately. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory predicting gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) through Saturday, warning that tree limbs could be blown down, potentially causing power outages.
