Springs Fire Prompts Evacuations Near Moreno Valley Amid High Winds

A rapidly spreading wildfire, known as the Springs Fire, broke out east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, California, on Friday morning, prompting evacuation orders and warnings in the area, authorities confirmed.

Cal Fire officials said the blaze erupted at approximately 11 a.m. and had scorched 2.34 square miles (6.06 square kilometers) by 2:30 p.m. The fire is burning in a recreational area near Moreno Valley, a city of roughly 200,000 residents located about 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. The exact number of households affected by the evacuation actions was not immediately available.

Windy conditions are fueling the fire's growth, complicating containment efforts. “It's windy out there,” said Maggie Cline De La Rosa, public information officer for Cal Fire Riverside. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for valleys in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, forecasting gusts up to 50 mph (80 kph) through Saturday afternoon. The advisory also warns of possible damage to tree limbs and the potential for a few power outages in the region.

The cause of the Springs Fire remains under investigation. As of Friday afternoon, firefighting crews continued to respond to shifting conditions amid significant wind gusts. Authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to heed local safety instructions, and evacuation warnings and orders remain in place as the situation develops.