A new fire has erupted in Riverside County, California, prompting urgent evacuation orders for local residents. Dubbed the Fig Fire, it started from a residential structure fire on Thursday evening at the 41000 block of Fig Street and quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation.
Officials from Murrieta Fire & Rescue responded to the initial fire alarm shortly after 6:30 PM. Winds gusting over 20 mph allowed the flames to extend rapidly, endangering nearby homes and prompting the Murrieta Police Department to act decisively with evacuation orders.
The first evacuation orders were issued for the area surrounding I-15 and Jefferson Avenue, extending from Guava Street to French Valley Parkway. These measures were taken to protect residents as the fire danger grew. Fortunately, firefighters reported by 9 PM on the same day, the fire's forward progress had been halted. An official spokesperson stated, "There is no immediate risk beyond the evacuation areas." This news provided some relief to concerned residents.
Despite the improvement, evacuation orders have not been fully lifted but had been progressively reduced between Cherry and Elm Streets, offering some locals hope. The Murrieta Police Department urged residents from nearby zones, including MURR-2150-A, MURR-2150-B, MURR-2150-C, MURR-2086, and MURR-2149, to heed the warnings, indicating they should re-evaluate their safety before returning.
Roads remain closed as firefighters continue their work to contain the flames. Authorities stress the importance of safety, reminding the public to avoid the affected areas and discourage drone operations, which can interfere with firefighting efforts.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to provide guidance for residents, stating, "Now is the time to get your go-bag & if you are asked to evacuate, take these items with you: People, Pets, Prescriptions, Papers, Photos & Important documents, Personal computers/disks, Plastic." This message underscored the need for preparedness among residents at risk of evacuation.
The swift reaction of local fire services has been commendable, but the threat remains ever-present as risks associated with dry, windy conditions persist. Firefighters fought valiantly to keep the blaze contained to its current perimeter.
The Fig Fire serves as another reminder for communities within and around California's wildfire-prone zones to remain vigilant and prepared for emergency situations. The collective effort of firefighters, police officials, and local residents continues to play a pivotal role during such emergencies.