Riverside brush fire scorched 50 acres, came dangerously close to homes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (FOX 11) - All evacuation orders in Riverside were lifted Wednesday night after a wildfire swept through and burned 50 acres. But now a frost advisory is in effect.

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Duty called around 11 a.m. when a brush fire erupted along the dry river bottom, which was a dry and windy area.

"It was so much smoke it was hard to see," said one resident.

Due to 30 mile per hour winds, the flames moved quickly and prompted at least 50 mandatory evacuations on the north side of Mission Inn, south side around Mount Rubidoux and in places along Aftin Way, Glenwood Drive, Loring Drive, Mount Rubidoux Drive, Redwood Drive and several other side streets abutting Mount Rubidoux.

No homes were destroyed, but some had damaged.

Residents were relieved to be back home safely.

"It was scary, but I was in the moment so I wasn't pondering the fear. I was praying," one woman said. "I was praying and just going into the action mode."

"The fire department has done a great job. Right now they look pretty relaxed and that makes me feel better."

But crews were still on guard.

The Red Flag Warning was removed after 6 p.m. Wednesday, but with temperatures expected to drop to 28-36 degrees, a frost advisory went into effect as of 10 p.m. and would stay in place until Friday at 9 a.m. for the Inland Empire, San Diego County valleys and deserts and the Coachella Valley.

Sensitive outdoor plants could die if left uncovered.

Pet owners are advised to make accommodations.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Council member, Mike Gardner told FOX 11 that the river bottom had homeless encampments and fires have broken out in the past because of camp fires that got out of control.

He added that there were also many power lines in the area.