Springs and Crown Fires Prompt Evacuations Amid Powerful Santa Ana Winds in Southern California

Two major brush fires broke out in Southern California on Friday, forcing residents to evacuate parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties as fire crews battled fast-moving flames fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.

In Riverside County, the Springs fire, first reported just before 11 a.m. near the 15900 block of Gilman Springs Road, rapidly grew from 50 acres to approximately 3,500 acres by late afternoon, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The blaze was just 5% contained as of 5:30 p.m. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas north of Ramona Expressway and east of Lake Perris, as well as for Moreno Valley residents south of John F. Kennedy Drive. An evacuation warning remained in effect for residents north of John F. Kennedy Drive and west of Sinclair Street and Redlands Boulevard.

Officials reported that hundreds of firefighters, assisted by air tankers and multiple agencies, worked to contain the wildfire as strong easterly winds, gusting up to 50 mph, pushed flames toward residential neighborhoods, including the Kentucky Derby Drive, De La Valle Drive, and Via Del Lago areas. Road closures are in effect, including Gilman Springs Road from Alessandro Road to Bridge Street. Valley View High School is serving as an evacuation center, while local animal shelters are accommodating pets and livestock.

In Los Angeles County, the Crown fire, reported at 11:23 a.m. near Acton, burned through 325 acres before firefighters brought it under control by evening. While evacuation orders were lifted by Friday night, warnings remain in place for the Soledad Canyon and Crown Valley Road areas. This fire was 25% contained.

The blazes mark the region’s first significant wildfires of the season, occurring after a winter of intense rainfall followed by persistent heat. The National Weather Service maintained wind advisories for affected counties through Saturday afternoon, with meteorologists warning that dry, windy conditions could continue to challenge firefighting efforts. As of Friday night, containment efforts and evacuations remain ongoing.