Evacuation warnings have been issued in California’s Riverside County after a fire erupted on Friday evening, a downgrade from an earlier evacuation order.
The Pyrite Fire was first sparked at 5:19 p.m. in Jurupa Valley and has since burned 425 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire. The fire is now 15% contained, and its cause is under investigation.
Firefighters responded to the vegetation fire Friday evening, which was “burning in light flashy fuels,” Cal Fire said.
Video of the fire shows a large amount of smoke emerging from an orange blaze. Multiple fire trucks and police cars could be seen on the scene. In the distance, Jurupa Valley’s historical landmark, the Columbian mammoth statue, stands unharmed.
Shortly after the fire erupted, Cal Fire issued an evacuation warning for the area north and east of Sierra Avenue, south of Lauren Lane and west of Armstrong Road.
In an 11:30 p.m. update, Cal Fire issued an evacuation order for the area and three additional zones, citing an “immediate threat to life.”
“This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW,” Cal Fire said on its website. “The area is lawfully closed to public access.”
Three zones were also placed under evacuation warnings, citing a “potential threat to life and/or property.”
On Saturday morning, all evacuation orders were downgraded to evacuation warnings.
There are currently more than 290 personnel on the scene, eight crews, two helicopters and 40 engines, according to Cal Fire.
