Bain, Verona Fires: All Evacuations Lifted, Containment Grows Friday: Cal Fire

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Two wind-driven brush fires that broke out this week edged closer to containment Friday. All evacuation orders have been lifted for both blazes.

The Bain Fire's evacuations and warnings have been lifted altogether, while the Verona Fire's mandatory evacuations have been downgraded to warnings, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa, enabling all to return home.

The Verona Fire was one of two large wildfires burning in Riverside County Friday morning, north of Homeland. Burning north of Homeland, this blaze scorched 648 acres, destroying outbuildings and other structures, was 57% contained Friday, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The Bain Fire, which began in the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley, charred 1,497 acres. It was 67% contained as of Friday morning at 7 a.m.

Minimal fire behavior was observed throughout Thursday, according to the department.

Suppression efforts remain ongoing as crews continue to construct, strengthen, and secure control lines. Crews will conduct mop-up and patrol operations to reinforce and secure established containment lines. The fire is expected to remain within the current perimeter as established control lines hold.

Thursday, damage inspection teams were on scene conducting ongoing assessments of impacted areas, the department announced

A total of 518 personnel, 37 engines, 27 hand crews, and 14 water tenders were assigned to the fire, fire officials said.

The fire was ignited just after 12:15 p.m. Tuesday on a hillside in the area of Juniper Springs and Verona roads, north of Highway 74, according to the department.

Multiple engine and hand crews from the Riverside County and Hemet fire departments and the Soboba Tribal Fire Department were sent to the location and encountered flames moving rapidly through medium vegetation, with three to four homes in the fire's direct path.

Firefighters established a defensive perimeter on Tuesday and prevented the fire from impacting occupied homes, but outbuildings and storage facilities in the area were consumed by the fire, according to reports from the scene. The exact number couldn't be confirmed.

Mandatory evacuations were implemented for properties scattered south and east of Juniper Springs Road. An evacuation warning was declared for the Panorama Cove Mobile Home Park at 32600 Highway 74.

One firefighter suffered unspecified minor injuries and was reportedly taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment.

An evacuation shelter was established at West Valley High School in Hemet, and an animal evacuation center at San Jacinto Animal Shelter in San Jacinto.

After a series of drops by Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, the fire's forward rate of spread was halted. Cal Fire announced later Tuesday that the fire jumped control lines and was burning "at a critical rate of spread." The agency said there was no diversion order for the four air tankers on scene.

Sheriff's deputies closed a segment of Juniper Flats for public safety. Highway traffic was not affected.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.