A vegetation fire erupted Wednesday afternoon in Riverside County, sparking significant alarm as it damaged at least one home and led to evacuations in Jurupa Valley.
Details of the Blaze
The fire, known as the Yearling fire, was reported around 4 p.m. in the 8500 block of Yearling Way in Pedley. Within an hour, it quickly expanded to cover roughly 34 acres, although emergency crews had it 25% contained by 7 p.m. Responders included 110 firefighting personnel equipped with 30 engines, four hand crews, two bulldozers, and one water tender.
Smoke inhalation caused two individuals to seek hospital treatment, while a third person received aid at the scene. Fortunately, despite the enormity of the fire, only one residence was reported as damaged, with one local resident expressing gratitude for the swift actions of firefighters and neighbors.
Evacuations and Local Impact
The area under mandatory evacuation orders spans from Van Buren Boulevard and Jurupa Road, extending eastward to Stone Avenue toward Stone Elementary School, and southward to Paisano Way and Limonita Avenue. Investigators are probing the cause of the fire; meanwhile, a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department representative indicated that one person was briefly detained in relation to the incident but later released after being cleared of involvement.
Local resident Paul Rojas shared his account of the harrowing situation, mentioning that his home sustained damage but ultimately remained standing due to the prompt actions of both firefighters and nearby neighbors. Rojas was returning from picking up his daughters when he discovered parts of his property ablaze.
Despite the loss of several items, including a power washer and an emergency generator gifted by his late father, Rojas expressed relief at having saved his home and even his vintage 1957 Chevy Bel Air. His emotional account reflected both the personal toll of the fire and the camaraderie among the community as they rallied to combat the flames.
