Evacuation orders lifted for Bain and Verona fires in Riverside County

CAL FIRE lifted all evacuation zones for the Bain and Verona fires in Riverside County on Friday, after crews increased containment on both blazes. The Bain Fire in Jurupa Valley was listed at 1,497 acres and 81% contained as of 6:02 p.m. Friday, while the Verona Fire near the Green Acres and Homeland area was listed at 648 acres and 67% contained as of 6:06 p.m., according to CAL FIRE incident pages. South Coast Air Quality Management District advisories earlier in the week warned that smoke from the Riverside County fires, along with the Sandy Fire in Ventura County, could push some areas into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. ### When were the evacuation orders actually lifted? CAL FIRE said at 3:54 p.m. Friday that “all evacuation zones have been dropped” for the Bain Fire. The agency posted a similar update for the Verona Fire at 3:59 p.m. Friday, saying all evacuation zones had been dropped there as well. ABC7 reported Friday that evacuation orders and warnings had been lifted for both fires. (fire.ca.gov) Earlier in the week, the two Riverside County fires had triggered evacuation orders and warnings after breaking out on May 19. ### Where are the Bain and Verona fires burning? The Bain Fire started at 11:24 a.m. on May 19 near Limonite Avenue and Bain Street in Jurupa Valley, according to CAL FIRE. (fire.ca.gov) The agency lists the fire under the jurisdiction of CAL FIRE Riverside Unit and the Riverside County All-Hazards Type 3 Incident Management Team. The Verona Fire started at 12:20 p.m. on May 19 near Verona Road and Juniper Springs Road in the unincorporated Green Acres and Homeland area, CAL FIRE said. (abc7.com) The incident page lists one damaged structure and four destroyed structures. ### How much progress did firefighters make by Friday? CAL FIRE reported Friday evening that containment on the Bain Fire had reached 81%, up from 67% Friday morning. (fire.ca.gov) The fire size remained listed at 1,497 acres. The Verona Fire was listed at 67% containment Friday evening, up from 57% Friday morning, with acreage at 648. CAL FIRE said 518 personnel, 37 engines, 14 water tenders and 27 crews were assigned to the Verona Fire. (fire.ca.gov) Regional coverage also described broader gains. NBC Los Angeles reported that firefighters were increasing containment on the Sandy, Bain and Verona fires after cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped crews strengthen lines. (fire.ca.gov) ### Why were smoke alerts part of this story? South Coast AQMD said in a May 19 advisory that areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties near the Bain and Verona fires could reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or higher. (fire.ca.gov) The agency also said areas adjacent to the Sandy Fire in Ventura County could reach that same category or higher. (nbclosangeles.com) NBC Los Angeles reported that smoke from the three fires spread widely enough to prompt an air-quality alert in parts of Southern California. Residents in affected areas were advised to avoid or limit outdoor activity because of windblown smoke and ash. ### What is still active in Southern California? (aqmd.gov) The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley remained under evacuation orders and warnings as of NBC Los Angeles’ Thursday night update, even as some zones had been downgraded or lifted. NBC said the fire was about 2,140 acres and 40% contained Thursday evening. (nbclosangeles.com) ABC7 separately published an evacuation map for the Sandy Fire and reported that warning zones had expanded into parts of Los Angeles County. That left the Sandy Fire, rather than the Bain or Verona fires, as the more active evacuation story heading into the weekend. CAL FIRE’s incident pages were last updated Friday evening, and South Coast AQMD said it would issue additional smoke updates if conditions changed. (nbclosangeles.com) Residents can track the next changes through CAL FIRE evacuation maps, incident updates and AQMD air-quality notices. (fire.ca.gov) (abc7.com)