Blaze in Badlands south of Calimesa burns 3,204 acres

CALIMESA, Calif. (KESQ) - A brush fire in the Badlands southwest of Calimesa has grown to roughly 3,204 acres and 32% contained. The Shore fire is no longer posing a threat to the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, which prompted authorities to reopen the westbound side of the corridor between Beaumont and Moreno Valley.

"Motorists should expect delays and remain alert for firefighters, law enforcement personnel and heavy equipment operating in the area,'' according to a Riverside County Fire Department statement Tuesday. "Traffic conditions and roadway access remain subject to change.''

The westbound side of the six-lane freeway was shut down shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, affecting a three-mile stretch, as a public safety precaution. All traffic was diverted onto Interstate 10.

The California Highway Patrol said the dedicated westbound truck lane remained closed due to the number of emergency vehicles parked along the shoulder. Truckers were permitted to use the slow lane. A Sigalert remained in effect due to the ongoing disruptions.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 3:23 p.m. Monday in a sparsely populated area near Lake Shore Drive and San Timoteo Canyon Road.

County fire officials said multiple engine and hand crews from the county, Hemet Fire Department, Palm Springs Fire Department, Cal Fire-San Bernardino County and other agencies were sent to the location, which is on the north side of the rugged expanse between I-10 to the north and the 60 Freeway to the south.

Flames were moving at a moderate to rapid rate northward amid gusty afternoon winds, which died off around nightfall, enabling crews to begin encircling the brusher, officials said.

No homes or other structures were under imminent threat, but evacuation orders and warnings were issued for scattered residential and commercial properties in the immediate vicinity. A map identifying the impacted areas was available at protect.genasys.com/zones/US-CA-XRI-RVC-0231-B.

An evacuation center was established for people and pets at Valley View High School, 13135 Nason St., in Moreno Valley. Large animal intakes were also available at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave.

Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters were making targeted drops on the brusher Tuesday.  

The terrain is difficult to negotiate on foot.   

A hard closure along San Timoteo, between Redlands Boulevard and Lake Shore, remained in force.   

The cause of the fire was under investigation.