Moreno Valley Brush Fire Grows To 450 Acres, 35% Contained

Firefighters are battling a brush fire in Moreno Valley that broke out just after 4:00 p.m. Saturday. It’s burning in dry grass and brush in the hills along Gilman Springs Road, just east of Highway 60.

It forced a complete closure of the freeway. As of 9:00 p.m., the California Highway Patrol had reopened one eastbound lane through the Badlands area. All westbound lanes were back up and running by 7:30 p.m.

Cal Fire reports the blaze has already burned 450 acres, as of 8:00 p.m., and has the potential to spread up to 1500 acres. Firefighters now have it 35% contained.

“It’s burning in a remote area, so there are no structures threatened,” said Cheri Patterson of the Riverside County Fire Department, adding that rescuers were fighting the fast-moving fire from the air and ground.

Crews from Cal Fire, the Riverside County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service, including two helicopters and two air tankers, were helping in the fight.

Patterson said about 250 firefighters will use bulldozers through the night to clear a containment line.

The fast-moving brush fire briefly trapped about 50 drivers when it jumped the freeway. Those motorists have since been safely evacuated.

No word yet on a cause of the fire. Crews are still investigating.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest.