A fast-moving brush fire erupted east of Moreno Valley late Friday morning just as Santa Ana winds started flexing across Southern California, quickly turning a roadside blaze into a 1,000-acre scare. Reported shortly after 11 a.m. along Gilman Springs Road, the Springs Fire triggered evacuation orders, shut down a key corridor, and sent smoke and ash drifting across the Inland Empire as firefighters rushed to protect homes and major routes.
Cal Fire maps the blaze
According to CAL FIRE, the Springs Fire was first reported around 11:01 a.m. In a 1:18 p.m. status update, the agency said the blaze had been mapped at roughly 1,000 acres as crews worked the scene. Officials reported the fire was burning in “light flashy fuels” and that containment remained at 0% while firefighters focused on establishing control lines. Earlier in the day, local reports had the incident at only a few dozen acres before the flames spread with the wind.
Evacuations and road closures
ABC7 reported that Gilman Springs Road was closed from Alessandro Road to Bridge Street, cutting off a busy stretch east of the 60 Freeway and tying up traffic for drivers moving through the area. Local station KESQ said evacuation orders and warnings were being put in place in nearby zones as crews chased the wind-driven flames.
Resources on the ground
CAL FIRE listed evacuation orders for zones MOE-0507, RVC-0748, and RVC-0826, along with several evacuation warnings in surrounding areas. The status report showed dozens of engines, two helicopters, and about 105 personnel assigned to the incident. As of early afternoon, no injuries had been reported, according to local coverage. CBS Los Angeles noted that firefighters were hitting the blaze from both the air and the ground, while investigators worked to determine how it started.
What residents should know
Officials urged people in affected zones to follow law enforcement instructions, secure pets, and be ready to leave immediately if ordered to evacuate. With Santa Ana winds strengthening across the region, agencies warned that conditions around the Springs Fire could shift quickly, according to ABC7. Residents were also advised to keep an eye on local alerts and avoid driving through heavily smoky stretches of roadway.
