The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Bureau confirmed Monday that the victims were 43-year-old Arthur Fernandez Jr. and his 10-year-old son, Arthur Fernandez, both residents of San Jacinto.

    The fatal crash occurred shortly after noon Friday at the intersection of Domenigoni Parkway and State Street.

    According to Cal Fire Capt. John Clingingsmith, a county fire crew was responding to a vegetation fire along Highway 74 near the western boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest when the collision happened.

    Investigators said the fire engine was traveling north on State Street with its emergency lights and siren activated. At the same time, Fernandez was driving a Mini Cooper westbound on Gibbel Road, which transitions into Domenigoni Parkway at the intersection. Two children were riding in the vehicle with him.

    Fernandez was pronounced dead at the scene. Both children were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities later confirmed that the 10-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries. Information regarding the condition of the second juvenile passenger has not been released.

    A fundraising campaign established for the family indicated that Fernandez was also the father of a 5-year-old son. It has not been confirmed whether that child was the other passenger involved in the crash.

    “Arthur was an extraordinary father,” organizers wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Everything he did, every single day, was for his children. He poured his heart and soul into being the best dad possible, leaving behind a beautiful five-year-old son who will now grow up without his father and big brother.”

    The fundraiser also described the family’s grief following the sudden loss and noted that loved ones are facing unexpected funeral and burial expenses.

    By Monday afternoon, donations had climbed to nearly $9,000.

    Three firefighters who were aboard the county engine also suffered injuries in the crash. Officials said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. They were transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for evaluation and treatment and were later released.

    Emergency personnel from the Hemet Fire Department, Hemet Police Department, California Highway Patrol and additional Riverside County fire units responded to the scene. The busy intersection remained closed for several hours as investigators worked to document evidence and clear the roadway.

    Authorities said there is currently no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.

    The California Highway Patrol’s San Gorgonio Pass Area office is leading the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information related to the incident is encouraged to contact CHP investigators at 951-846-5300.

    Source: City News Service

The post Father, 10-Year-Old Son Identified in Fatal Hemet Crash Involving Fire Engine appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

    The lawsuit was announced Tuesday as Renteria faces multiple felony charges tied to separate alleged assaults involving three women. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Renteria was rearrested Friday and is now facing 12 felony counts that include kidnapping, forcible rape and assault.

    Investigators allege the incidents occurred during 2025 while Renteria was employed as a firefighter with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department. Authorities said the criminal investigation remains active and additional victims may still come forward.

    According to the civil complaint, one alleged victim claims she was assaulted over a period of roughly six hours beginning the night of Nov. 6 and continuing into the early morning hours of Nov. 7, 2025. The lawsuit alleges the woman was brought to Fire Station 96 on Glen Oaks Road in Temecula, where the attacks allegedly took place.

    Court filings state the woman was allegedly taken to a shed located behind the station and repeatedly assaulted. The complaint further alleges she was later brought inside the station, photographed while unclothed and threatened when she asked to return home to her children.

    According to the lawsuit, the woman was ultimately released around 5 a.m. on Nov. 7 after several hours of alleged abuse.

    The complaint states the woman reported the alleged incident shortly afterward to a retired firefighter friend, who then contacted law enforcement authorities. An official investigation involving the sheriff’s department reportedly began in January 2026.

    Renteria was placed on leave by CAL FIRE after the agency became aware of the allegations, according to previous statements released by the department. He was later arrested in April on multiple felony charges connected to sexual assault allegations before being released on bond. Authorities said Friday’s rearrest involved additional accusations tied to other victims.

    Attorney David Ring, who represents one of the accusers, criticized the alleged conduct and questioned how the incidents were allowed to occur.

    “This is shocking behavior, particularly from a firefighter on duty — someone who is hired to protect our communities,” Ring said in a statement. “Renteria must be held accountable, and CAL FIRE must answer for how this was allowed to happen.”

    The lawsuit claims CAL FIRE and the State of California were negligent in hiring, supervising and retaining Renteria as an employee. Attorneys representing the plaintiff argue the agency failed to act quickly enough after allegations were first reported.

    In an earlier statement, CAL FIRE said Renteria had been served with administrative leave paperwork and had not returned to work after the department learned of the allegations on Jan. 4, 2026.

    “CAL FIRE demands its employees uphold standards of professional conduct both on- and off-duty,” the agency previously stated.

    Another attorney representing the plaintiff, Neil Gehlawat, said the allegations outlined in the lawsuit suggest the possibility of additional victims.

    “The severity and what appear to be deliberate preparations for our client’s horrific assault lead us to believe this is not an isolated incident,” Gehlawat said. “If there are additional victims or witnesses, we encourage them to contact our office so these actions can be fully investigated.”

    The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has also indicated there may be additional victims connected to the investigation. Officials are encouraging anyone with information involving Renteria or possible related incidents to contact Investigator Joe Riddle at 951-955-1700 or through the department’s tip lines.

The post Woman Suing CAL FIRE Over Alleged Assault by Temecula Firefighter appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

In a 4-0 vote without comment — during which Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez was absent — on Tuesday, the board signed off on the district’s plan to augment outlays for the “Heli-Hydrant Fire Protection System Phase 2 Project” from $513,000 to a total $754,000.

According to documents posted to the board’s agenda, following solicitation of bids from contractors to complete the work, the “total cost of the project increased beyond the amount originally contemplated.”

The Flood Control & Water Conservation District partnered with the Jurupa Community Services District in 2024 to initiate the protection system project, which will rely on water supplies managed by JCSD to feed open water tanks containing up to 10,000 gallons each.

“This will provide supplemental water resources for Cal Fire (rotor craft) during wildfire response in fire-prone areas … in Riverside County,” according to Flood Control & Water Conservation District documents.

JCSD personnel will be responsible for maintaining the tanks after they’re constructed.

The sites designated for the new supply systems are at the intersection of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue, along the north side of the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley; near Citrus Street and Hamner Avenue in Eastvale; and just east of the Oak Quarry Golf Club, near McLaren Lane and Sandra Drive, at the northern edge of Jurupa Valley.

There was no indication of when the projects may be completed.

The post Heli-Hydrants Planned Across Riverside County To Aid In Wildfire Battle appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The victim’s identity was not released as of Tuesday afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at approximately 1:46 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Grape and Olive streets.

Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated by Cal Fire crews before being transported to a local hospital. Each victim was in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s department.

“One of the drivers ultimately succumbed to their injuries,” the law enforcement agency said.

An update on the other victim was unavailable.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though traffic investigators with the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station reported that alcohol was not a crash factor.

No arrests were announced.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Keyser at 951-245-3000 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.

The post Driver Dies Following Wildomar Crash appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

CAL FIRE is ramping up staffing levels, particularly in the wake of last month’s lightning that caused over 110,000 strikes and burned nearly 29,000 acres.

The National Weather Service predicts thunderstorms through next week, with a high chance of dry lightning, which can spark new fires.

CAL FIRE says they are preparing with more staffing, additional resources in both Northern and Southern California, including extra fire crews, reserve engines, and command centers.

CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler urges Californians to stay alert and follow safety measures, including seeking shelter during storms and reporting any signs of smoke or fire immediately.

For wildfire preparedness, community members are encouraged to pack emergency go-bags and sign up for local alerts.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.

The post Governor Newsom prepares California for lightning threat as wildfire risk rises appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

In desert areas of the county, temperatures surged to 114 degrees, intensifying fire danger and placing fire officials on high alert.

The first blaze, dubbed the Madera Fire, broke out shortly after 9:30 a.m. near Pauba Road and Winner’s Circle, just north of Temecula. Flames quickly spread through brushy hillsides, scorching 19 to 25 acres before crews halted its forward progress.

Some 173 firefighters responded to the blaze, aided by air tankers, helicopters and hand crews. By Thursday evening, the fire was 95 percent contained. No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported.

Later that day, at around 4:35 p.m., a second fire was reported near De Portola Road and Via Luisa. That blaze burned approximately 2 acres before firefighters stopped its advance. As of Friday afternoon, it was 45 percent contained with crews continuing mop-up operations. Southern California Edison also responded to secure nearby power lines, according to Cal Fire.

Another fire, dubbed the Reche fire, ignited in the hills of unincorporated Moreno Valley. The blaze charred at least 18 acres and spurred evacuation warnings around 3:45 p.m. At least 176 firefighters battled the fire.

The fires ignited as Riverside County endured a scorching heatwave this week. Inland valley communities like Temecula saw temperatures in the mid-90s, while desert areas reached up to 114 degrees on Thursday. In Mecca, temperatures climbed to 117 degrees on Wednesday.

Air quality also suffered. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued advisories for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in parts of the county, warning that a combination of extreme heat, ozone pollution and wildfire smoke could pose health risks to vulnerable populations.

Despite the extreme weather, no evacuations were ordered in connection with either fire, and both incidents remained relatively small thanks to rapid response efforts.

Still, fire officials warned that the region remains at high risk for additional wildfires as dry vegetation, triple-digit temperatures and low humidity persist.

Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning, use caution with power tools and remain prepared for sudden evacuations. Firefighters will remain in the area through the weekend to monitor for flare-ups and continue containment work.

The post Wildfires Spark And Fade In Temecula As RivCo Scorched Under Heatwave appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The fire was reported just after 3 p.m. Sunday in the area of Old Idyllwild Road and Sherlion Drive, where fire crews reported the fire burning at a moderate rate of spread, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

As of 1 p.m. Monday, the blaze was 0 percent contained.

“The fire continues to burn at a moderate rate in medium to heavy brush. Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters will continue working throughout the night on containing the fire,” Cal Fire announced in a 10 p.m. status report.

Evacuation orders were issued for areas east of Highland Springs Avenue, west of Old Cabazon Road, north of Poppet Flat Divide Truck Trail and south of the Redlands (10) Freeway.

Evacuation warnings were also in place for regions east of Bergamo Avenue, west of South San Gorgonio (243) Avenue, north of Poppet Flats Trail and south of Highland Springs Avenue.

A care and reception site was set up in Hemet High School at 41701, E.
Stetson Ave., in Hemet, and an animal shelter was at 581 S. Grand Ave., in
San Jacinto.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The post Banning Fire Map: See Wolf Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Jorden Taykeion was arrested during the incident, the Menifee Police Department said on Friday.

Officers responded on Thursday at 1:43 p.m. to reports of a fire near several businesses in the Menifee Countryside Marketplace, officials said. As police and firefighters arrived to the area, witnesses told authorities that a second fire had been started along the Paloma Wash Walking Trail.

Witnesses gave a description of a person they saw leaving the Marketplace fire with a lighter in hand before the second fire began. Officers headed onto the trail and quickly found a person matching that description, officials said.

After “a brief struggle,” Taykeion was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. No officers were injured during the incident.

“There is no threat to the community,” police said.

Cal Fire is handling the ongoing investigation of the fires. Anyone who may have information about the fires was urged to contact the CAL Fire Investigator at Ariel.Sosa@fire.ca.gov.

The post Man Accused Of Starting Fires, Assaulting Menifee Police Officer Arrested appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Just after 11 a.m., smoke was reported near Harley Knox Boulevard and Patterson Avenue, just east of Interstate 215.

Several engine crews arrived at the location, which was engulfed in flames near the plastics manufacturing plant. Fire raged in a “pile of plastic pipes, extending into a field and along the shoulder of Harley Knox within a one-block space.”

The March ARB Fire Brigade, along with personnel from the Riverside Fire Department and other agencies, assisted county firefighters.

Sheriff’s deputies shut down both sides of Harley Knox, between I-215 and Oleander Avenue, for public safety.

No evacuations were ordered, though surrounding business employees were asked to shelter in place, according to reports from the scene.

Preliminary reports showed that upwards of 50 vehicles were damaged, and three or four commercial structures were threatened as the flames spread into the field near Patterson, but firefighters stopped the blaze’s forward rate of spread just before noon.

Officials say the fire has been nearly contained, and the number of vehicles damaged would likely tbe reduced.

Fire investigators believe that a malfunctioning electrical transformer may have sparked the blaze.

SoCal Edison technicians were summoned to the location to carry out an inspection and make repairs.

This developing report will be updated as further information is released.

The post Fire Near March Air Reserve Base Damages ‘Numerous Vehicles’ appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The Silver Fire erupted Sunday afternoon along Route 6 in Inyo County, about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Bishop in the Owens Valley.

By Monday morning, it had churned through nearly 2 square miles (5 square km) of dry brush, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. There was no containment.

The potential for 65 mph (104 kph) gusts limited flights by water-dropping helicopters and kept air tankers grounded, Cal Fire spokesperson Chloe Castillo said.

“The winds are very erratic,” she said. “One minute they’re pushing north, the next they’re going east.”

Evacuations were ordered for about 800 homes near the tiny communities of Laws, Chalfant and White Mountain Estates.

Cal Fire said the blaze was threatening land belonging to the Bishop Paiute Tribe as well as habitats for endangered species including the Owens pupfish and desert bighorn sheep.

The cause was under investigation.

Inyo County, which borders on Nevada, has received very little recent precipitation and is abnormally dry, with some areas experiencing extreme drought.

Similarly, most of Southern California is in moderate to extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The post Evacuations ordered as winds pose challenges for firefighters battling California blaze appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.