Homes evacuated as Mandalay Fire breaks out near Riverside neighborhood

Evacuation orders issued as firefighters battled a blaze burning close to homes in Riverside on Sunday afternoon have been lifted after an hours-long fight.

The Mandalay Fire was first reported at around 2 p.m. in brush in the Santa Ana Riverbed, behind a neighborhood located at Tyler Street and Mandalay Court, according to the Riverside Fire Department. 

Firefighters said that five mutual aid engine companies and Cal Fire were assisting with the battle. At least one water-dropping aircraft was assisting from above. 

"The city is being impacted by heavy drift smoke," said a post from the department on Facebook. 

As of Monday morning, the fire had burned just over 80 acres and is 100% contained, according to Cal Fire. 

Homes evacuated

As the fire continued to grow, crews issued evacuation orders for a large area of homes near the riverbed. Those orders have since been downgraded to warnings.

A care and reception center was established for anyone displaced by the fire at the La Sierra Senior Community Center located at 5215 La Sierra Avenue, according to Riverside police.

The cause of the fire is unknown. 

Fiery weekend in the IE

The Mandalay Fire was one of several that quickly impacted the Inland Empire over the weekend. On Saturday, the Lake Fire ripped through nearly 500 acres of brush near Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County, while the Smiley Fire engulfed dozens of acres before crews gained control. 

The next day, the Wolf Fire erupted to more than 2,400 acres shortly after igniting near Banning and the Mindy Fire burned in a remote area near Aguanga.