Crews battle fast-growing wildfire in windy Southern California that’s forced some to evacuate

Associated Press (AP) EnvironmentalNews ReportEN 3 min read 100% complete by 1 MIN READApril 4, 2026 at 08:23 AM

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Crews making progress containing Southern California wildfire as some mandatory evacuations remain

AI Summary

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A fast-growing wildfire, named the Springs Fire, broke out in Southern California east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County on Friday, April 3, 2026, around 11 a.m. Fueled by windy conditions, the fire quickly expanded to 6.5 square miles, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for some residents. Fire crews, including those from the Pechanga Fire Department and Cal Fire, are battling the blaze with helicopters, engines, and water tenders. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. By Friday night, crews had begun to contain the fire, which is burning in a populated recreational area.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

It’s windy out there.

quote — Maggie Cline De La Rosa, a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection100% confidence

By the evening, the fire had grown to about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers).

factual100% confidence

The Springs Fire broke out around 11 a.m. Friday.

factual100% confidence

The Springs Fire broke out Friday morning and quickly grew to 4.45 square miles by the afternoon.

factual100% confidence

A wildfire in Southern California has prompted multiple evacuation orders and warnings.

factual100% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pechanga Fire Department 60% Moreno Valley ×370% Cal Fire 70% Riverside County ×370% Southern California ×380% Springs Fire ×690%

Keywords

wildfire 100% evacuation 80% southern california 70% springs fire 70% moreno valley 60% fire retardant 60% windy conditions 50% riverside county 50% cal fire 40%