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In Riverside, California, efforts to control a smoky wildfire showed significant progress on Saturday, as firefighting teams tackled the blaze that erupted the previous day, leading to mandatory evacuations.
The wildfire, known as the Springs Fire, has spread over approximately 6.3 square miles (16 square kilometers) in Riverside County, situated about 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. By Saturday, containment had reached at least 45%, an improvement from 25% on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the fire department.
Although meteorologists forecasted gusts reaching up to 45 mph (72 kph) on Saturday, Terra Fernandez, the public safety information specialist for the Riverside County Fire Department, noted that the winds had “dissipated a bit” from the previous day, aiding firefighters in their efforts.
“We’re feeling confident. The winds have died down, which is helping us make more progress,” Fernandez explained. She also highlighted the strategic construction and reinforcement of containment lines around the fire’s perimeter as a key factor in their efforts.
“We have natural equestrian trails surrounding many of the structures, which provides our firefighters with better access,” she added. “Furthermore, the expected increase in humidity this evening will be beneficial.”
So far, no structures have been damaged or destroyed, Fernandez said.
Crews began early Saturday dropping water and retardant all around the fire by air. About 260 personnel are battling the blaze, including crews from around the region who are building and strengthening the containment lines and laying hose, she said.
Less than a dozen zones in the county remained under mandatory evacuation orders, while evacuation warnings in other parts of the county were lifted. It was not immediately known how many households were affected by the orders.
The fire is located in a populated unincorporated part of Riverside County that’s a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of roughly 200,000.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.