INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – Dry spring weather is adding to the Inland Empire’s wildfire danger.

A large compliment of CalFire equipment and personnel responded Tuesday to the Santa Ana Riverbottom between Riverside and Jurupa Valley to put down a blaze that sent towering clouds of smoke into the midday sky.

The Bain Fire, as it was dubbed, is gradually coming under containment.

Fire fighters are dumping retardants and aerial water drops on the remaining flames. Some evacuation orders and warnings were still in place Wednesday afternoon. Four people were injured during the early stages of the fire Tuesday. Cal Fire is making an assessment of property damage.

Flames have covered nearly 1500 acres of mostly dry vegetation.

Meantime, fire fighters are encircling the Verona Fire west of Hemet. It has blackened 500 acres just north of Highway 74 at the community of Homeland, destroyed some outbuildings and forced evacuations.

CalFire has not explained the causes of either fire.

Story Date: May 20, 2026