A fire burning in Riverside County, east of Moreno Valley and near Lake Perris, has grown to over 3,500 acres and is 5% contained.
A wind-driven brush fire burning in Riverside County, east of Moreno Valley and near Lake Perris, has grown to over 3,500 acres and is 5% contained, according to CAL FIRE.
The Springs Fire started around 11:30 a.m.
Eyewitness News reporter Rob McMillan was in the Moreno Valley Ranch neighborhood on Friday evening, where flames and smoke were seen creeping down the hillside above Championship Drive, getting closer and closer to homes.
More than 1,000 homes are under evacuation orders in the area as the Santa Ana winds continue to spread the flames.
“I smelled the smoke earlier this morning. And then it went away, and then it started back again. My brother works for Edison, and he was like, ‘No, it’s headed your way.’ I didn’t think so, but I work from home. I had to shut down, and here we are,” said Moreno Valley resident Denise Smith.
Moreno Valley College was evacuated in the middle of the fire, with all students and staff forced to leave. California State Parks also evacuated and closed the Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
