Crews make progress with 30-acre Soto Fire in Jurupa Valley, containment up to 80%
Fire crews have made progress with the 30-acre Soto Fire burning in the Jurupa Valley, increasing containment to 80%, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders have been lifted but many warnings remain in effect. Firefighters are still working to fully contain the flames and suppress hot spots in the burn area.
Evacuation warnings remain for the following areas:
- North of Frazer Drive & Rockridge Road, South of Jurupa Road & Laurel Ridge Drive, East of Camino Real, West of Lakeside Drive & 45th Street
- North of Lakeside Drive, South of Jurupa Road, East of Laurel Ridge Drive, West of Javelina Court
The blaze was reported just after 7:45 p.m. in the 4600 block of Soto Avenue near Sedona Drive, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
The flames were threatening some structures, which prompted evacuation orders at around 8:45 p.m. A care and reception center was established for those impacted at Patriot High School, which is located at 4355 Camino Real.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Red flag warnings
The fire comes at a time when much of Southern California is under high alert for potential fire danger, as another Santa Ana wind movement lingers over the area. The National Weather Service issued Red Flag warnings for Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the conditions.
Though winds are not as strong as this time last week, conditions are very similar to those at the time that the Franklin Fire broke out in the Malibu Canyon. That fire, still burning eight days after igniting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, has destroyed more than 20 buildings and torched over 4,000 acres.
According to the NWS, winds reaching up to 15 mph were expected in Riverside County with the strongest gusts coming in as high as 30 mph.
Busy day for firefighters
This is the second fire of note to break out in Jurupa Valley on Tuesday, after a small brushfire was reported near Canal Street and 29th Street, just north of SR-60 at around 3:20 p.m., according to firefighters.
They were able to stop the forward rate of spread by 3:45 p.m. and had extinguished the flames shortly after. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
Prior to firefighters' arrival, however, Riverside County sheriff's deputies who were on the scene detained a man who they say was loitering near the spot where the fire first started.
He was taken into custody on suspicion of arson. Deputies did not immediately identify the suspect.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
