Firefighters scrambled to contain a fast-spreading blaze in Southern California as strong winds pushed the blaze forward and prompted evacuation orders.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Crews battled a smoky, fast-growing wildfire Friday in windy Southern California that forced some residents to evacuate and a community college to temporarily close its doors.
The Springs Fire broke out around 11 a.m. Friday and by evening had grown to about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers). The cause of the fire east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County is under investigation. It was not immediately known how many families were under warnings or evacuation orders.
With hundreds of people battling the blaze – using helicopters, motorbikes and water tenders – crews began to contain the blaze on Friday night.
The fire was burning in a populated — but not densely — unincorporated part of Riverside County in a recreation area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of about 200,000. The city is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Riverside and 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
“It’s windy out there,” said Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County.
Alex Izaguirre, a spokesman for Cal Fire Riverside County, said the wind is “dispersing the smoke,” prompting concerned calls from residents in neighboring towns who can see and smell it.
Moreno Valley College’s main campus was closed Friday and Saturday due to the fire affecting air quality.
“All students, faculty and staff are being instructed to leave campus immediately,” the school said in an Instagram post.
California U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz said in a social media post that he was closely monitoring the fire.
“If you are under an evacuation order, please leave immediately,” he said.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the San Bernardino Valley and Riverside County until Saturday afternoon, with gusts up to 50 mph.
“Tree limbs may fall and some power outages may result,” the advisory said.
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