Hawarden Fire Monday update: Forward progress stopped on 500-acre fire

A brush fire that tore through a south Riverside neighborhood, destroying homes and consuming more than 500 acres, was stationary on Monday, as residents returned to their properties following the cancellation of evacuation orders.

The non-injury “Hawarden Fire” broke out just after 1 p.m. Sunday in the area of Hawarden Drive and Mary Street, in a neighborhood known as Hawarden Hills, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

The blaze’s forward rate of spread was halted by nightfall Sunday.

More than 80 firefighters from the city, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and surrounding agencies were firming up containment lines and tying off gaps Monday morning, officials said.

The cause of the brusher was still under investigation, but officials told reporters there was a possibility youths playing with fireworks might have inadvertently ignited the blaze, which had scorched 527 acres by the predawn hours Monday.

Hawarden Fire evacuation orders status Monday

At least three homes were destroyed and four were damaged, according to Riverside Fire Department Deputy Chief Steve McKinster.

Some 1,500 properties were evacuated at the height of the brusher, McKinster said.

The evacuated area included Eagle Crest Court and Chartwell Drive, Horace Street and Hawarden Drive, Golden Hills and in the area of Barry Road and Via Vista moving towards Trautwein Road and Alessandro Boulevard.

Evacuation orders were rescinded as of Monday morning.

At the height of the fire Sunday afternoon, four Cal Fire water- dropping helicopters and three air tankers were making runs on the brusher. The choppers, including two heavy-duty crane rotorcraft, raced back and forth to retrieve water from ponds at the nearby Canyon Crest Golf Club in the Canyon Crest area of Riverside.

The helicopters’ activity spanned nearly five hours, starting just after 2 p.m. and continuing until almost 7 p.m.

No firefighting aircraft were overhead the burn zone Monday.

Officials were slated to provide another update on containment figures Monday afternoon.