Riverside County Wildfire Largely Contained After Rapid Response

Springs Fire reaches 75% containment, prompting lifting of most evacuation orders

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:18am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a raging wildfire, with dramatic clouds of smoke and flames consuming the horizon and dwarfing any physical structures in the scene.The Springs Fire's rapid spread and containment highlights the power and unpredictability of California's seasonal wildfires.Riverside Today

A fast-moving wildfire that ignited Friday in Riverside County, California has reached 75% containment as of Saturday afternoon, allowing officials to lift evacuation orders for most affected neighborhoods. The Springs Fire burned over 4,000 acres driven by strong Santa Ana winds, but no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. Firefighters made significant progress overnight, aided by natural equestrian trails that helped them build containment lines.

Why it matters

Wildfires are an ongoing threat in California, especially during the state's dry seasons. The rapid response and containment of the Springs Fire demonstrates the effectiveness of the state's firefighting capabilities in protecting communities from the dangers of fast-moving blazes fueled by high winds and dry conditions.

The details

The Springs Fire ignited on Friday morning near Gilman Springs Road in Riverside County, east of the city of Moreno Valley. Driven by Santa Ana winds gusting up to 50 mph and dry conditions, the fire quickly grew to over 4,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuation orders across several neighborhoods. However, by Saturday afternoon, the fire had reached 75% containment as crews made significant progress overnight. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were aided by natural equestrian trails in the area that helped them build containment lines.

  • The Springs Fire ignited on Friday morning, April 4, 2026.
  • By Saturday afternoon, April 5, 2026, the fire had reached 75% containment.

The players

CALFire Riverside County Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and provided updates on the Springs Fire.

Maggie Cline De La Rosa

A public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County.

Moreno Valley College

A college located in the area affected by the Springs Fire that had to close its main campus due to smoke impacts.

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What they’re saying

“#SpringsFIRE [UPDATE 4/4/26 11:15AM] The fire is now 75% contained and still holds at 4,176 acres.”

— CALFire Riverside County Fire Department

“Yesterday's #SpringsFire in Riverside County burned more than 4,100 acres resulting in evacuation orders and warnings, a reminder even in April #wildfire is a threat.”

— CAL Fire Chief

“Moreno Valley College is no longer in the Springs Fire evacuation area and has returned to normal operations. Main campus classes and events will resume on Monday, April 6. Thank you to the fire response teams for their efforts in keeping our community safe.”

— Moreno Valley College

“It's windy out there.”

— Maggie Cline De La Rosa, public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Riverside County

What’s next

Fire crews will continue working to reach full containment while all remaining evacuation orders are expected to be lifted.

The takeaway

The rapid containment of the Springs Fire in Riverside County demonstrates the effectiveness of California's firefighting capabilities in protecting communities from the dangers of fast-moving wildfires fueled by high winds and dry conditions, which remain an ongoing threat in the state.