A vehicle fire spread into dry roadside brush southwest of Perris Friday evening, sparking the Gustin Fire in the unincorporated community of Mead Valley and leaving one person with minor injuries. The blaze, first reported around 7:51 p.m., was approximately 20 acres as crews worked to slow its forward progress after dark, with multiple fire resources responding to the scene.
Crews stopped the fire's forward rate of spread at 10:31 p.m. Thursday, and the incident was listed at 10% containment, according to an update posted by CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department
on social media. The agency said it would not issue further evening updates unless significant fire activity resumed. One patient was evaluated on scene and transported with minor injuries, though further details about that person's condition were not released.
Night-Flying Aircraft Helped Slow the Spread
A helicopter was part of the response after darkness fell, while crews worked to slow the fire.
Mead Valley is an unincorporated community. The City of Perris, for its part, has contracted with the Riverside County Fire Department and CAL FIRE for suppression and emergency response since 1983, according to the City of Perris.
A Recent Fire in Mead Valley
The 57-acre Wood Fire forced mandatory evacuations near Rider Street in Mead Valley in late August, as previously reported by Hoodline in coverage of the Wood Fire.
The reported cause — a vehicle fire that extended into surrounding vegetation — fits a well-documented statewide pattern. Human activity accounts for about 95% of California wildfires, with vehicle-related incidents such as fires, blown tires, and hot exhaust pipes touching dry roadside brush among the most common ignition sources, according to CalMatters.
Fire Risk Mapping
The precise cause of the vehicle fire that triggered the Gustin Fire, along with a full containment timeline, had not been released as of the latest update.
