Bain Fire injures 4 Riverside County

Riverside County fire officials said the Bain Fire injured four civilians and forced evacuations after erupting near Limonite Avenue and Bain Street in Jurupa Valley on May 19. City of Riverside updates said the fire had reached 907 acres by 5:45 p.m. that day, while CAL FIRE later reported 1,375 acres by 8:25 p.m. and 10% containment. By 1:28 p.m. on May 20, CAL FIRE said the blaze had grown to 1,456 acres and was 25% contained. The cause remained under investigation, according to the state incident page. ### Where did the fire start, and how fast did it spread? CAL FIRE said the fire started at 11:24 a.m. on May 19 near Limonite Avenue and Bain Street in Jurupa Valley, close to the Santa Ana River bottom. KTLA reported the fire was first called in around 11:22 a.m. and spread through heavy fuels as winds shifted. City of Riverside emergency updates said the fire was “still pushing east and heading north” by 5:45 p.m. on May 19. (riversideca.gov) Earlier city updates said the fire had moved roughly 300 yards past Van Buren Boulevard and prompted warnings extending toward Ryan Bonaminio Park. ### Who was hurt in the Bain Fire? KTLA reported that four civilians were taken to local hospitals, with three suffering smoke inhalation and one sustaining traumatic injuries. (fire.ca.gov) The Los Angeles Times listing for the May 19 story also described four injuries in Riverside County. No deaths were listed on the CAL FIRE incident page as of the May 20 update. (riversideca.gov) Riverside County and city updates reviewed on Thursday did not identify the injured people by name. ### Why were aircraft pulled back during the firefight? The City of Riverside said on May 19 that “a drone incursion has forced a temporary halt to aerial firefighting operations.” The city warned that private drones and unmanned aircraft systems had to stop flying in the area immediately because they put emergency crews and the community at risk. (ktla.com) (fire.ca.gov) KTLA reported firefighting aircraft were grounded three times because civilian drones entered the airspace over the fire. The Los Angeles Times headline cited civilian drones interfering with firefighting aircraft during suppression efforts. ### Which areas were evacuated? CAL FIRE said evacuation orders were in effect for zones JUR-0180, JUR-0181-A and RIV-0182 as of the May 20 incident page, with a broader list of warning zones across Jurupa Valley, Riverside and nearby areas. (riversideca.gov) The state page said evacuation shelters were open at the La Sierra Senior Center in Riverside and the Jurupa Community Center in Jurupa Valley. (ktla.com) The City of Riverside said road closures included Tyler Street between Jurupa Avenue and Arlington Avenue, Arlington Avenue between Crest Avenue and Crestview Drive, and westbound Jurupa Avenue between Tyler Street and Van Buren Boulevard. City officials also said Villegas Community Center later closed, while La Sierra remained open for evacuees. (fire.ca.gov) ### How does the Bain Fire fit into the broader Southern California fire picture? The Associated Press reported that more than 17,000 people were under evacuation orders in Southern California on May 20 as the Sandy Fire threatened suburban homes in Simi Valley. KTLA said the Bain Fire was one of several active fires burning in the region, alongside the Sandy Fire in Ventura County and the Santa Rosa Island Fire. (riversideca.gov) CAL FIRE’s incident page showed the Bain Fire remained active in Riverside County as of its last update at 6:10 p.m. on May 20. Riverside officials said residents should keep checking Genasys Protect, Watch Duty, Riverside Alert and the CAL FIRE incident page for changing evacuation zones and shelter information. (fire.ca.gov) (apnews.com)