Crews Fight Several Fires in Southern California as Fourth of July Nears

Gov. Gavin Newsom reminded the public about the fire dangers associated with illegal fireworks.

Cal Fire engines line the Ortega Highway in El Cariso Village, Calif., on Sep. 16, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Southern California Firefighters continued to battle several blazes that sparked on June 29, east of Los Angeles in the state’s Inland Empire, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported.

Wolf Fire

Cal Fire’s Riverside Unit reported on Monday morning that firefighters made good progress overnight on the Wolf Fire—the area’s largest blaze. Multiple aircraft were used to fight the fire, along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground.

The fire was burning at a moderate rate at times in heavy brush. Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters worked through the night to contain the flames, according to Cal Fire’s Sunday update.

The operations were expected to continue building containment lines around the blaze.

About 300 fire personnel and 70 fire engines were on the scene, aided by three water tenders, four helicopters, six hand crews, and other equipment, according to Cal Fire.

Several areas in Banning and Riverside County had to be evacuated, with other residents placed under evacuation warnings as the flames spread.

An evacuation shelter was opened at Hemet High School in Hemet, and an animal evacuation shelter was set up at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.

The public was able to view smoke from the incident on a live cam provided by Alert California.

Mandalay Fire

City of Riverside fire crews were called out to another Riverside County blaze—the Mandalay Fire—which was sparked at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Tyler Street and Mandalay Court.

The fire covered about 83 acres Monday morning, with crews reporting zero containment overnight.

Some residents on Gaylord Street, Eureka Drive, and Mandalay Court were asked to evacuate Sunday night, but the city lifted the order by 9:45 p.m., according to an update.

Mindy Fire

Riverside County firefighters were able to gain ground on the smaller Mindy Fire by Monday, reaching 70 percent containment, according to an early-morning update.

The fire burned about 100 acres by Monday, and all evacuation warnings had been lifted except one zone.

Lake Fire

Another massive blaze, the Lake Fire, was burning through a recreation area in neighboring San Bernardino County on Monday.

The fire started at the intersection of State Highway 173 and Cedar Springs Dam Trail near Silverwood Lake at about 4 p.m. Sunday and spread to spread to an area of 485 acres overnight. Crews had contained about 15 percent of the blaze on Monday morning.

“Crews continue to focus on strengthening control lines in areas where the fire is still active,” Cal Fire wrote in a morning briefing. “The forward rate of spread is stopped.”

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area remained closed on Monday, and three residential areas were under evacuation warnings.

About 525 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, helped by 54 fire engines, four water tenders, and three helicopters, along with other equipment, Cal Fire reported.

Smiley Fire

The crews also battled the Smiley Fire, which was fully contained by Monday morning. The smaller, 83-acre fire started at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday at San Timoteo Canyon Road and Smiley Road, south of Redlands.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, according to the state fire agency.

Illegal Fireworks Danger

Gov. Gavin Newsom reminded Californians that state officials had “no tolerance” for illegal fireworks as Independence Day neared.

“We all must do our part to keep Fourth of July fun and safe,” Newsom said in a statement on Monday. “I ask all Californians to use common sense and practice safety when lighting fireworks to celebrate. Our message is clear: illegal fireworks won’t be tolerated, and you will be prosecuted. They run the risk of starting dangerous fires in the peak of our fire season.”

Since 2024, fireworks have caused more than $35 million in property damage across California, sparking 1,230 fires, according to Newsom.