Prado Dam Fire near L.A. Triggers Evacuation

On Saturday night, over 300 homes near Chino Hills by the Prado Dam had to be evacuated because of a brush fire rapidly traveling through the area. Jennifer Fuhrman, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Fire Department, said the blaze was first reported at just after 6 p.m.

As of Sunday morning, the fire, which apparently stared near the intersection of highways 71 and 91, had consumed 300 acres and was 15% contained, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was visible from the skies around LAX airport, and followed after a brush fire near Malibu on Friday afternoon.

Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler stated that over 800 firefighters from local areas as well as other areas around Southern California were battling the blaze. Two air tankers and two helicopters had also joined the effort. Mohler told the Times, “There have been a lot of animals evacuated. There’s a large animal rescue area in the city of Norco.”

People needing to be evacuated were welcomed at a center set up by The American Red Cross at Riley Gymnasium at in Norco. Horses were welcome at an equestrian evacuation center at Ingalls Park in Norco.