Growing wildfire forces evacuations in Riverside County

Fire crews are working to contain a fast-moving wildfire in Riverside County that prompted evacuation orders and warnings Wednesday night.

The “Post Fire” ignited around 4 p.m. as CAL FIRE crews responded to the 20800 block of Gardenias Street in the Good Hope community near Perris.

By 6 p.m., the fire grew to 75 acres. By 6:30 p.m., the blaze expanded to 120 acres and by 8:50 p.m., it reached 130 acres with 20% containment. By 11 p.m., the forward rate of spread was contained at 25%.

On Thursday morning, crews gained around 40% containment on the fire and by 1 p.m., around 80% containment was achieved. The fire remained at 130 acres, officials said.

Evacuation orders for these areas have now been lifted:

• South of San Jacinto Avenue/Santa Rosa Mine Road
• West of W 4th Street/Highway 74
• East of La Barranca/El Nido Road
• North of Eucalyptus Avenue

Evacuation warnings for these areas have been lifted:

• North of El Toro Cutoff Road
• South of Rocky Hills Road
• West of Highway 74
• East of El Toro Road

All residential zones that were included in the evacuation order/warning can be found here.

Both air and ground crews worked overnight to contain and extinguish the growing flames.

“Their work will continue today, contending with heavy mop-up in brush and high temperatures forecast,” CAL FIRE said Thursday.

Several care and reception centers were available to evacuated residents at:

• Pinacate Middle School – 1990 S A St., Perris
• Good Hope Elementary School – 24050 Theda Street, Perris
• Animals can be dropped off at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter located at 581 S. Grand Avenue

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Temperatures in Southern California soared on Wednesday as residents braced for one of the most dangerous heatwaves in years. In some areas, temperatures were expected to reach as high as 115 degrees.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.