Two wildfires that broke out in Southern California on Friday (3) led to the issuance of evacuation orders in Los Angeles and Riverside, in the United States.
The National Weather Service issued a wind warning until noon, citing gusts of up to 50 mph that contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
Rescue crews were able to control the Crown Fire in , on Friday night, but the Springs Fire in Riverside County continued to advance toward neighborhoods amid high winds and rugged terrain. The fire had already consumed 4,176 acres and was 10% contained as of 9 p.m. local time.
Emergency crews were actively working to contain the fire while evacuation orders remain in effect for affected areas, authorities said.
According to Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection), the situation in Los Angeles has progressed from “evacuation order” to “warning”. Areas of Riverside remain under evacuation “orders.”
Local officials reported that the Springs Fire, which started Friday at 11:01 a.m. (6:01 p.m. GMT) on Gilman Springs Road east of Moreno Valley, had spread to 4,127 acres by mid-afternoon.
According to the Los Angeles Times, they mobilized two air tankers, 23 fire trucks, two helicopters and tractors, and requested additional resources, as evacuation orders remained in effect.
“Their biggest concern right now is that the fire appears to be getting closer to some residential areas, so they have definitely increased the number of tankers and fire engines in the area,” Maggie Cline De La Rosa, public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told the Los Angeles Times.
*with information from Reuters and the Los Angeles Times
