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.

The post Jurupa Valley Brush Fire Near Riverside Now 40 Percent Contained appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

A wildfire that broke out in Riverside County grew to nearly 40 acres by Tuesday night, triggering evacuation warnings that have since been lifted.

The fire, named the Clay Fire, burned 38 acres and was 45% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to a Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson.

Forward progress of the fire was stopped by Tuesday night, according to a Cal Fire incident report.

It was one of several fires that ignited Tuesday, including the 85-acre Lilac Fire in San Diego County.

Parts of Southern California, including Riverside County valleys and mountains, are under a red flag warning through Thursday evening due to strong winds and “very low” relative humidity, meaning that fires that break out in the regions under the warning can spread rapidly, according to the National Weather Service San Diego.

Here’s an overview of the Clay Fire as of Wednesday morning.

Where is the Clay Fire?

The Clay Fire broke out at the Santa Ana River bottom near Pedley Road and Van Buren Boulevard in Jurupa Valley, according to Cal Fire. Jurupa Valley is in Riverside County’s northwest region and neighbors the city of Riverside. Jurupa Valley is about a 20-mile drive, route dependent, from San Bernardino, according to Google Maps. According to a Cal Fire incident update, approximately a third of the acres burned is within Riverside.

When did the Clay Fire begin?

Firefighters were on scene at a vegetation fire reported at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Jurupa Valley, according to Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department’s post on X. The fire was “in heavy fuels and burning at a slow rate of spread.”

The post Clay Fire that broke out in Riverside County on Tuesday is 45% contained. Where did it start? appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.