Bain Fire

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Bain Fire ignited at approximately 11:24 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, near Limonite Avenue and Bain Street in the Mira Loma neighborhood of Jurupa Valley, Riverside County. The fire originated in the Santa Ana River bottom.
Size and Containment: As of Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, the fire has burned 1,497 acres and is 83% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Igniting in the heavy vegetation and fuels of the Santa Ana River bottom, the fire initially experienced a moderate to rapid rate of spread. Fanned by gusty winds, it quickly pushed into nearby hills and grew to over 1,300 acres within its first day before its forward progress was halted.
Containment Efforts: Unified Command involves the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit, Riverside County Fire Department, Riverside County Type 3 All-Hazards IMT, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. Over 528 personnel have been assigned to the incident, utilizing 69 engines, dozers, hand crews, and numerous firefighting air tankers.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: As of Friday afternoon, May 22, all mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted as crews made significant progress. Previously, zones including JUR-0180 and RIV-0182 were under mandatory orders.
Evacuation Warnings: All evacuation warnings have also been lifted, and residents have been permitted to return to their homes.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Shelters were previously established at the La Sierra Senior Center and Skyview Event Center but are closing as residents return home. The exact number of people impacted by the initial evacuations was not officially released by authorities.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Van Buren Boulevard has been reopened to one lane in each direction. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution as firefighters and heavy equipment remain active in the area.
• Previous closures at intersections along Clay Street, General Road, and Limonite Avenue have largely been lifted.
• No widespread school closures or major infrastructure shutdowns have been reported in relation to this incident.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Riverside County Fire Department
• City of Jurupa Valley Emergency Updates

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Five injuries have been reported, including four civilians (three for smoke inhalation, one for a traumatic injury) and one firefighter. No fatalities have been reported.
Structures Impacted: Firefighters reported that some structures have been damaged or destroyed, including backyard structures on Idyllwild Lane and exterior fences near the Western Riverside Animal Shelter. Damage inspection teams (DINS) are actively assessing the impacted areas to confirm the exact number of primary structures versus outbuildings damaged.
School and Business Closures: No widespread school or business closures remain in effect at this time.
Notable Impacts: Emergency aircraft operations were temporarily halted on Wednesday after a civilian drone was illegally flown over the burn zone. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office took a suspect into custody. No notable individuals or landmarks have been reported as impacted.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages have been reported in connection with the Bain Fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Standard seasonal CAL FIRE restrictions apply, though no specific new burn bans have been issued exclusively for this incident.
Air Quality: The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert, warning that smoke from the fire could push air quality into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Residents are advised to keep windows closed, limit strenuous outdoor activities, and use N95 masks if smoke conditions worsen.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: At 83% containment, firefighters have successfully halted the fire's forward progress. The high containment percentage indicates that control lines have been successfully built around the vast majority of the fire's perimeter. Crews will remain on the scene over the coming days to conduct mop-up and patrol operations, strengthen existing containment lines, address any remaining interior hotspots, and conduct fire suppression repair.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Weather in the Riverside area is forecast to remain sunny and clear over the weekend and into next week, with high temperatures in the upper 70s to high 80s and low humidity (around 23-27%). While the initial gusty winds have subsided and no Red Flag Warnings are currently in effect, the dry and warm conditions require crews to remain vigilant against any potential flare-ups.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Bain Fire remains under active investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire's initial rapid spread was heavily influenced by dry, warm conditions and gusty winds typical of the region's fire weather. The heavy, dry fuels in the Santa Ana River bottom provided ample material for the fire to consume, highlighting the ongoing risk of extreme fire behavior in Southern California's dry, drought-prone climate.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Official Incidents Page
• Riverside County Sheriff's Office
• South Coast Air Quality Management District