April 20--A fast-moving brush fire continued to burn Sunday at the Prado Dam near Corona, but the evacuation order covering 300 nearby homes was lifted, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
As of Sunday afternoon, the fire had burned approximately 1,020 acres and was 35% contained, fire officials said. Helicopter teams attempting to survey the fire Sunday were thwarted by a thick cloud of smoke that obscured views of the fire and made flying conditions dangerous.
Winds averaging around 15 miles per hour coupled with the "extreme" dryness of the brush has made fighting the fire especially challenging, said Cal Fire Capt. Liz Brown. She urged motorists across the region to be cautious about the low-hanging smoke from the fire.
"Now the smoke has moved all over the county and into other counties," Brown said. "Stay indoors and keep your inhaler nearby."
No injuries have been reported, and no structures have been damaged, Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler said. About 300 homes were threatened by the blaze, but by Sunday afternoon, the danger had subsided, Brown said.
More than 650 firefighters from at least six fire agencies are battling the fire. On Sunday morning, teams of firefighters were hiking through brush to confront the northern portion of the blaze, which is inaccessible by road.
Two air tankers and two helicopters have been deployed over the fire, which officials said is spreading more rapidly than usual for this time of year because of the dry conditions created by California's drought.
The Highway fire, visible from miles away, was reported around 6:12 p.m. Saturday near the interchange of highways 71 and 91, according to Jennifer Fuhrman, a spokeswoman for the fire department.
KABC-TV showed video footage of horses galloping against a backdrop of flames burning in the heavy brush, and reported that equestrian property evacuations were underway.
"There have been a lot of animals evacuated. There's a large animal rescue area in the city of Norco," Mohler said.
The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Riley Gymnasium at 3900 Acacia in Norco. An equestrian evacuation center is located at Ingalls Park, 100 6th St. in Norco.
Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report.
UPDATES
5:34 p.m.: Updates on acres burned and smoke dangers.
3:10 p.m.: Smoking warning update.
2:50 p.m.: Updates on acre burned, smoke issues.
10:28 a.m.: This story was updated with new information about the fire's extent and the lifting of the evacuation order.
4 a.m.: This story was updated with information from the scene and from Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler.
12:31 a.m.: This story was updated to include information about two evacuation centers.
12:25 a.m.: This story was updated to include that the fire has spread to approximately 300 acres and is 30% contained.
12:22 a.m.: This story was updated to include that 300 homes were evacuated and more than 800 firefighters are battling the blaze.
11:52 p.m. Saturday: This story was updated throughout with additional background and information.
11:34 p.m. Saturday: This story was updated throughout with additional background and information.
10:30 a.m. Sunday: This story was updated with new information.
This story was first published at 10:36 p.m. Saturday.
