RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews battled a smoky, fast-moving wildfire in windy Southern California on Friday, forcing some residents to evacuate and temporarily closing a community college.
The Springs Fire broke out around 11 a.m. Friday and had grown to about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers) by evening. The cause of the fire east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County is under investigation. It was unclear how many households were under evacuation warnings or orders.
Hundreds of people used helicopters, engines and water trucks to battle the blaze, which crews began to contain on Friday night.
The fire broke out in a dense but unincorporated area of Riverside County in a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of about 200,000. The city is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
“It’s very windy outside,” said Maggie Klein De La Rosa, public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County.
Cal Fire Riverside County spokesman Alex Izaguirre said winds were “diffusing smoke,” causing residents in neighboring cities to see and smell smoke and call with concern.
Moreno Valley College’s main campus will be closed Friday and Saturday due to fires affecting air quality.
“All students, faculty and staff are directed to leave campus immediately,” the school posted on Instagram.
U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz of California posted on social media that he was paying close attention to the fire situation.
“If you receive an evacuation order, please leave immediately,” he said.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for the San Bernardino and Riverside county valleys Saturday afternoon, with gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) expected.
“Tree branches may be blown down and some power outages may result,” the advisory reads.
