Riverside, California — A fast-growing wildfire Friday in windy Southern California prompted several evacuation orders and warnings.
The Springs Fire broke out at about 11 a.m. on Friday and by 2:30 p.m. had grown to 2.34 square miles (6.06 square kilometers). The cause of the fire east of Moreno Valley in Riverside County remains under investigation. It was not immediately known how many families were under evacuation warnings or orders.
“It’s windy out there,” said Maggie Klein De La Rosa, public information officer for Cal Fire Riverside.
A Cal Fire map showed flames burning in a recreational area near the city of Moreno Valley, which has a population of about 200,000. The city is located 64 miles (103 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the San Bernardino Valleys and Riverside County through Saturday afternoon, with wind gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) expected.
“Tree branches may be blown off and this may result in a minor power outage,” the warning read.