The quick-growing blaze ignited Tuesday afternoon in the Santa Ana River bottom. Residents nearby were placed on evacuation warnings.
JURUPA VALLEY, CA — The growth of a Jurupa Valley brush fire was halted to 39 acres in the blaze that has reached 40 percent containment as of Wednesday morning, the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department shared.
All evacuation warnings for the Clay Fire were lifted, and residents were told they could return home, but to be advised that firefighters would remain in the area much of the day.
At 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, the blaze ignited in the Santa Ana Riverbed, according to Cal Fire. The blaze burned toward homes, driven by offshore winds gusting through the Jurupa Valley area. Overnight, fire crews gained more traction in containing the blaze known as the Clay Fire.
Multiple engine and ladder crews from the Riverside County and Riverside fire departments were sent to the location. Firefighters found flames burning toward a residential area along Bradford Street as winds weakened, they said.
A third alarm was declared as the fire moved closer to the Bradford homes a short time later, and the neighborhood was briefly placed under an evacuation warning.
Dozer and hand crews worked overnight to build containment lines and conduct mop-up operations, fire officials said. Cal Fire officials said 23 engines and eight hand crews would continue their work at the location Wednesday.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known. However, the river bottom is rife with homeless encampments.
