Wood Fire Near Perris Triggers Evacuations as Riverside County Faces Extreme Heat

Evacuation orders issued for neighborhoods near fast-moving Perris-area fire

PERRIS, California — The Wood Fire burned through about 60 acres in an unincorporated area near Perris on Tuesday afternoon, forcing evacuation orders and road closures as firefighters battled the blaze during an extreme heat warning across parts of Southern California.

The fire was reported shortly before 1 p.m. near Rider Street and Dreamglo Lane, close to Orland and Roth roads, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Riverside County Fire Department. Fire officials initially described the blaze as spreading at a dangerous rate through medium grass and brush.

By 2:15 p.m., fire behavior had moderated, authorities said. However, the Wood Fire had reached approximately 60 acres by 3 p.m. and remained 0% contained. Nearly 170 personnel, including 29 fire engines and three helicopters, were assigned to the response.

Residents told to leave zones facing immediate threat

Riverside County officials issued mandatory evacuation orders shortly after 2 p.m. for zones RVC-1060 and RVC-1059, citing an immediate threat to life. The ordered area is generally bordered by Orange Avenue to the north, Juniper Road to the west, Santa Rosa Mine Road and San Jacinto Avenue to the south, and Old Elsinore Road to the east.

Residents leaving the evacuation zone were directed to the Perris Library, 163 E. San Jacinto Ave., where shelter and resources were available for evacuees and their pets. Evacuation warnings were also issued for nearby neighborhoods, signaling that residents should be ready to leave if conditions worsen.

The warning area includes most of Harford Springs Reserve, a public open-space park known for its hiking trails. A northwestern section of Motte Rimrock Reserve, a rocky-plateau biological field station managed by UC Riverside, was also within an evacuation warning zone, according to the county evacuation map.

Road closures and dangerous heat complicate response

As of 4:30 p.m., authorities had closed Salter Road at Fox Street as well as the intersection area of Juniper Road and Ida Leona Road. Drivers were urged to avoid the fire area and allow emergency vehicles access to affected roads.

The response unfolded as an extreme heat warning covered the valleys of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Forecasters warned of dangerously hot conditions, with temperatures potentially reaching 110 degrees. Such heat can intensify wildfire risk by drying vegetation and can place additional strain on firefighters and displaced residents.

Fire officials had not immediately reported civilian injuries or confirmed structural damage. The cause of the Wood Fire remains under investigation, and evacuation orders and warnings were still in effect in the latest update.