Fire near downtown Riverside contained
A fire broke out today in the Santa Ana River bottom near downtown Riverside, scorching about a half-acre before crews got it partially contained.
The non-injury blaze was reported about 2:42 p.m. in the center of the dry riverbed, just off of Mission Boulevard and Crestmore Road, according to the Riverside Fire Department. Reports from the scene indicated that the flames began in a homeless encampment, a number of which dot the area, on the north side of Mount Rubidoux.
The fire was largely concentrated on the Jurupa Valley side of the river bottom. However, because Riverside County Fire Department crews encountered difficulties reaching the location, city firefighters took over.
A battalion chief at the scene said that light winds blowing out of the northeast were aggravating the fire, but he was confident the blaze would be under control before 4 p.m.
There was no word on how it started.
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