Voluntary evacuations for fire near Riverside, California

UPDATE at 7:45 a.m. PT, March 2, 2013:

The Jurupa Fire is 80 percent contained and there has been no change in size, it is holding at 311 acres. Full containment is estimated for 8 p.m. this evening.

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UPDATE at 4 p.m. PT, March 1, 2013:

Riverside County FD reports the fire is 40 percent contained, has burned 311 acres, and the spread has been stopped. At 12:47 p.m. the temperature was 83 degrees, 5 percent RH, with northeast winds of 10-15 mph gusting to 25. Voluntary evacuations have been cancelled (if such a thing is possible).

The LA Times reports that fire officials said two structures burned, ignited by airborne embers. One was a residence and the other was an outbuilding. An RV also burned at another location after embers caused its awning to catch fire.

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UPDATE at 9:00 a.m. PT, March 1, 2013

Jurupa Fire
Jurupa Fire, Photo by Brandy Carlos

The Jurupa Fire near Riverside, California has burned 200 acres and is 30 percent contained, according to Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department. Firefighters worked through the night on Thursday taking advantage of winds that were less strong than the breezy conditions that pushed the fire earlier.

The Press Enterprise reports that Rick Mullins, who lives about a quarter-mile from the fire, said his neighborhood experienced an ember shower that ignited the awning of his RV which spread to the trailer engulfing it in flames. The heat from that fire slightly singed his house but it was not seriously damaged.

On Friday there will be 20 engines, 1 dozer, 1 helicopter, and 8 hand crews assigned to the fire.

Jurupa Fire
Helicopter dropping on Jurupa Fire, Photo by Brandy Carlos

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Originally posted at 11:15 p.m. PT, February 28, 2013

Voluntary evacuations are taking place for the Jurupa fire near Riverside, California. At 11:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, the fire had burned 150 acres and was 20% contained according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Most of the fire is burning along both sides of the Santa Ana river bottom in areas that make access difficult for firefighters.

A travel trailer about a quarter-mile from the fire burned freely for several minutes until a helicopter dropped water on the blaze. It may have been caused by burning embers from the main fire.

The fire started at about 4:45 p.m. at Jurupa Regional Park at Rio Road and Calle Hermosa. At 7:30 p.m. one helicopter was still dropping water on the flames.

Photos of the fire.