Crews battling fast-moving brush fire in Riverside

UPDATE 4/30/17 @ 9:50 p.m. – The fire is now 1,350 acres and 25% contained. Approximately 40 homes are threatened by the fire.

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Firefighters in the city of Riverside are battling a 1,200-acre brush fire that is being fueled by windy conditions and fast-burning vegetation.

The fire is currently 1,200 acres and 15% contained with multiple structures threatened. It is burning in the Highgrove area near Interstate 215 and the intersection of Opera Loop and East Palmyrita Avenue. However, callers into the KESQ and CBS Local 2 newsroom reported heavy smoke entering the Coachella Valley near Desert Hot Springs.

The fire was said to be moving at a rapid rate of spread toward radio towers on Box Springs Mountain.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters said there were drones flying in the area that were hampering fire suppression. The agency is asking all civilians to ground any active drones immediately.

The fire was originally reported at 3:43 p.m. in a field.