As the sun set over Jurupa Valley this past weekend, the hills north of the 60 freeway glowed with the orange and red hues of the Pyrite Fire—a blaze that erupted suddenly on Friday, September 5, 2025, near the intersection of Pyrite Street and Granite Hill Drive. What began as a modest fire burning in what officials described as "light flashy fuels" quickly transformed into a formidable challenge for local firefighters, residents, and emergency crews alike.
According to Cal Fire, the Pyrite Fire was reported at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Friday. Within hours, the flames had carved a path through the mountainous terrain, growing from an initial estimate of 15 acres to a staggering 425 acres by Saturday morning. By the time Sunday morning rolled around, the fire had expanded to 521 acres and was only 20% contained. The rapid growth and unpredictable behavior of the fire left many in the community on edge, watching the sky for signs of smoke and listening intently for updates from emergency services.
With the fire raging near residential neighborhoods, officials moved quickly to issue evacuation orders for several zones. Residents in areas stretching east of Granite Hill Drive and past Sierra Avenue to the west—specifically zones JUR-0017, JUR-0018, JUR-0019, and JUR-0031—were told to leave their homes as a precaution. For those in need of shelter, Jurupa Valley High School on Bellegrave Avenue opened its doors, serving as a temporary refuge for evacuees and their families. The sense of urgency was palpable, as families gathered what they could and sought safety away from the advancing flames.
Firefighters, meanwhile, sprang into action with a multi-pronged attack on the blaze. Aerial support played a crucial role, as helicopters swooped overhead to make repeated water drops on the most active parts of the fire. In addition to water, crews deployed Phos-Chek—a fire retardant commonly used to slow the spread of wildfires—hoping to halt the flames before they could threaten more homes or critical infrastructure. On the ground, teams worked tirelessly to build and reinforce containment lines, a painstaking process that involved clearing brush, digging trenches, and patrolling for hot spots that could reignite at any moment.
By 10 a.m. on Saturday, officials had some good news to share: the immediate threat to homes had lessened enough that evacuation orders could be downgraded to warnings. Residents were allowed to return, but with a clear message—remain vigilant and be ready to leave again if conditions worsened. The evacuation warnings remained in effect for the same zones, and authorities urged the public to keep a close eye on official updates, especially as shifting winds and weather could quickly change the situation on the ground.
Cal Fire’s incident reports throughout the weekend highlighted both the progress made and the ongoing challenges. As of Sunday, September 7, firefighters had managed to contain 20% of the fire’s perimeter. Crews were expected to remain on scene overnight, continuing efforts to strengthen containment lines and patrol the fire’s edge for any signs of flare-ups. The work was grueling, and the risk was ever-present, but officials were determined to keep the fire from gaining further ground.
Remarkably, despite the size and speed of the Pyrite Fire, no injuries had been reported as of Sunday morning. This, officials said, was a testament to the swift action of both emergency responders and the community at large. Residents heeded evacuation orders quickly, and firefighters coordinated their response with precision, minimizing the risk to life and property.
Still, questions lingered as to what sparked the fire in the first place. As of Sunday, the cause of the Pyrite Fire remained under investigation, with Cal Fire urging anyone with information to come forward. In the meantime, the focus remained firmly on containment and recovery.
For those living in the affected areas, the weekend was a stark reminder of the ever-present risk of wildfires in Southern California. The region’s dry climate, coupled with periodic bouts of high winds, creates conditions ripe for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. In recent years, communities like Jurupa Valley have faced an increasing number of such incidents, prompting ongoing discussions about preparedness, land management, and the role of climate change in exacerbating fire seasons.
As the Pyrite Fire burned, residents and officials alike drew on lessons learned from past blazes. The use of evacuation zones—clearly identified as JUR-0017, JUR-0018, JUR-0019, and JUR-0031—helped streamline communication and ensure that those at greatest risk received timely alerts. Online resources, such as the protect.genasys.com map, provided real-time information about evacuation boundaries, giving residents a clear sense of where they stood in relation to the fire. The establishment of a dedicated evacuation shelter at Jurupa Valley High School offered a crucial safety net for those displaced by the fire, underscoring the importance of community infrastructure in times of crisis.
Throughout the ordeal, local media outlets like KABC and The Desert Sun played a vital role in keeping the public informed. Paris Barraza, a reporter for The Desert Sun, provided regular updates on the fire’s progress, containment efforts, and evacuation protocols, helping to dispel rumors and ensure that residents had access to accurate, up-to-date information. Cal Fire’s transparency in offering frequent incident reports and clear instructions further contributed to the community’s sense of preparedness and resilience.
As of late Sunday, the Pyrite Fire’s containment continued to inch forward, thanks to the relentless work of firefighters and the cooperation of local residents. While the danger had not fully passed—evacuation warnings remained in place, and the cause of the fire was still unknown—there was a cautious sense of optimism in Jurupa Valley. The worst, it seemed, had been averted, at least for now.
For those who spent the weekend watching the horizon, packing bags, or lending a hand at the evacuation shelter, the experience was a sobering one. Wildfires, after all, are an inescapable part of life in California. But so too are the resolve and solidarity that emerge in their wake. As the smoke began to clear and the hills of Jurupa Valley returned to their familiar silhouette, the community could take some comfort in knowing that, together, they had faced the flames—and, for the moment, prevailed.