Three wildfires burn in Riverside County prompting evacuations as homes burn

Three fires that started Sunday afternoon in Riverside County have caused evacuations and destroyed some homes. No injuries have been reported.

Hawarden Fire

The Hawarden Fire in Riverside has forced more than 2,500 people to evacuate. At least three homes were destroyed and several others were damaged.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday that FEMA funding had been secured to help local, state and tribal agencies battle the fire that had burned 527 acres and was 20% contained as of Monday morning.

Evacuation orders have been issued for these areas:

• Eagle Crest Court
• Chartwell Drive
• Horace Street
• Hawarden Drive
• Berry Road and Via Vista, moving toward Trautwein and Alessandro.

An evacuation center has been set up at Orange Terrace Community Center, 20010 Orange Terrace Pkwy.

Eagle Fire

The Eagle Fire burning east of Corona was 50% contained and had charred up to 1,609 acres as of Monday morning. Evacuation orders for these areas have been downgraded to warnings.

As a result of the fires, the South Coast AQMD has issued a smoke advisory for the Inland Empire until 2 p.m. Monday.

Columbia Fire

The Columbia Fire began Monday morning near Columbia Ave and Michigan Ave in Riverside. By midday, 57 acres burned and the fire was 75% contained. For a brief time evacuation warnings were in place and have since been lifted. Officials said smoke might still be visible as firefighters lay down lines towards full containment.