This is a developing story and will be updated.
Firefighters are making progress on the Bain and Verona Fires in Riverside County that threatened close to 2,100 hundred structures. Firefighters throughout the week battled the flames amidst dry and windy weather conditions.
The larger of the two blazes — the Bain Fire burning in the Santa Ana River bottom between Jurupa Valley and Riverside — grew to 1,497 acres and was 67% contained as of Friday morning. The fire started around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters from multiple agencies responded as flames spread rapidly through heavy vegetation in the river bottom.
Most evacuation warnings and orders in Riverside and Jurupa Valley remain in effect. Van Buren Boulevard was opened to limited traffic according to fire and police officials.
A second wildfire, the Verona Fire burning near Verona Road and Juniper Springs Road in the Homeland area, expanded to 648 acres and is 57% contained, according to Cal Fire and Riverside County fire officials. Evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation warnings in the area east of Minton Road between Juniper Flats Road and Highway 74.
Cal Fire spokeswoman Tara Fernandez said on Thursday that low humidity and gusts continue to challenge aerial and ground crews.
"When the wind shifts, it changes the direction of the fire path," said Fernandez. "So that results in an operational change of how they're going to attack the fire."
Fernandez also said fire behavior is unpredictable, so residents should continue to take extreme caution.
"Just because we lift or cancel evacuation orders or warnings the fire behavior can change at any moment," said Fernandez. "Those evacuations could be implemented again."
Fernandez also said air crews will continue to suppress the fire from both the air and the ground.
Cal Fire said four civilians were injured in the Bain Fire, including three people suffering from smoke inhalation and one person with a traumatic injury. No firefighter injuries or structural damage have been reported since. Fire crews there also temporarily grounded firefighting aircraft on Tuesday afternoon after reports of drones flying near the fire zone.
"What they need to remember is that if they're flying their drones, we can't fly our aircraft," Cal Fire Captain John Clingingsmith said on Tuesday. "So we are asking the public to please refrain from flying their drones…so that way we can continue to fight this fire."
Public health, air quality officials urge residents to keep safe from smoke and ash
The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned that smoke from the Bain and Verona fires could push air quality in parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category.
AQMD officials advised residents near smoke impacts to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and use air conditioning or air purifiers if possible. Officials also recommended wearing a properly fitted N95 or P100 mask outdoors if smoke conditions worsen.
Riverside County public health officials shared in a press release that wildfire smoke can cause a range of symptoms, which include burning eyes, runny nose, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, headaches and chest pains.
"As smoke drifts into surrounding areas, it can present a danger to our health. It's important to monitor your local air quality and take precautions, particularly for those with chronic health conditions that impact their heart and lungs," said Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky, Riverside County Public Health Officer.
People at heightened risk include pregnant women, children, older adults, first responders, people who work outdoors, unhoused populations and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Clingingsmith also urged residents to prepare the "four P's" — prescriptions, people, pets and papers — and sign up for emergency alerts.
Riverside County Animal Services wants public to adopt or foster pets displaced by fires
Local animal shelters are now bracing for displaced pets and evacuation-related overcrowding.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) said the shelters were at 240% capacity before the Bain and Verona fires ignited Tuesday. Veronica Perez, with Riverside County Animal Services, said they need to make space for animals being evacuated from fire zones.
"We're really leaning on people to consider opening their homes," said Perez.
She said the department has waived adoption fees and people can temporarily foster animals—especially dogs. Adoptions include vaccines, spay-and-neuter, microchipping and supplies.
"That way we can, you know, get after the over capacity and the overcrowding we're seeing and still be available if an animal has nowhere else to go," said Perez.
Perez said even fostering over the Memorial Day weekend would help shore up resources for evauated animals.
RCDAS evacuated animals from the Verona Fire, while crews continue to monitor conditions near the Bain Fire.
County shelters are waiving adoption fees through the Memorial Day weekend. More information is available on the Riverside County Animal Services website.
Evacuation Shelters
La Sierra Senior Center (Bain Fire)
5215 La Sierra Avenue, Building A
Riverside, CA 92505
Jurupa Community Center (Bain Fire)
4810 Pedley Rd.
Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
Skyview Event Center (Bain Fire)
5257 Wineville Avenue
Jurupa Valley, CA 91752
West Valley High School (Verona Fire)
3401 Mustang Way
Hemet, CA 92545
