A brush fire ignited Friday evening near Jurupa Valley, prompting evacuation orders in the nearby communities of Jurupa Hills and Sunnyslope.
Dubbed the Pyrite fire, it was reported at 5:19 p.m. as a 15-acre vegetation fire burning in “light flashy fuels” near Pyrite Street and Granite Hills Drive, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Riverside Unit.
The blaze had grown to 200 acres by 8 p.m., leading authorities to expand evacuation warnings as hand crews and firefighting helicopters worked to combat the flames. A map of affected areas can be viewed here.
An evacuation center has been set up at Jurupa Valley High School, 10551 Bellegrave Ave. An animal shelter is at 6851 Van Buren Blvd.
Nearly 300 firefighting personnel were assigned to the incident, alongside 40 engines, two helicopters and two water tenders, according to Cal Fire.
Throughout the evening, the fire burned toward the San Bernardino County border, where residents in the nearby city of Fontana could clearly see the flames burning from the hillside.
Shawn Millerick, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, urged Fontana residents not to panic as crews were making “really good progress” slowing the forward progression of the fire. So far no evacuation warnings or orders have been issued for the Fontana area.
The Fontana Police Department said that Sierra Avenue will be closed from Jurupa Avenue to Armstrong Road to allow fire crews to access the burn zone.
“At this time, Fontana residents are not impacted, but smoke may still be visible throughout the region,” the department said. “Stay alert and follow official updates for any changes.”
