Southern California Wildfire Forces Evacuations and School Closures

Sat Apr 04 2026 21:51:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A rapidly spreading wildfire in Riverside County has prompted evacuations and the closing of local educational institutions as firefighting crews work to control the blaze amid strong winds.

A wildfire known as the Springs Fire erupted around 11 a.m. on a Friday in Riverside County, California. By evening, it had expanded to approximately 6.5 square miles and evacuations were initiated for nearby residents. The local community college, Moreno Valley College, was closed due to air quality concerns, prompting school officials to urge immediate evacuation for all on-campus individuals. As winds gusted up to 50 mph, firefighting efforts were intensified with helicopters and ground crews engaged in combating the blaze.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Firefighting crews are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire in Riverside County, California which forced evacuations and the temporary closure of a community college on Friday.

The Springs Fire ignited around 11 a.m. and had expanded to approximately 6.5 square miles by evening. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and the number of homes under evacuation orders remains unclear.

According to Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the wind conditions are acute, contributing to the fire's swift spread. She stated, “It’s windy out there,” which has led to numerous residents in the surrounding areas expressing concern due to the visibility and smell of smoke.

As part of the firefighting efforts, hundreds of personnel have been deployed, supported by helicopters and water tenders in the area near Moreno Valley, which houses around 200,000 residents. The city is located 10 miles southeast of Riverside and about 64 miles east of Los Angeles.

Moreno Valley College announced on their social media accounts that its main campus would be closed on Friday and Saturday in light of deteriorating air quality. The school directed all students, staff, and faculty to evacuate immediately.

U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz is monitoring the situation closely on social media, urging individuals under evacuation orders to leave without delay. The National Weather Service also issued a wind advisory for the region that could last through Saturday afternoon, predicting gusts reaching up to 50 mph, which may lead to further hazards such as downed tree limbs and potential power outages.