Live Updates: ‘Fire Near Me’ Alerts, Evacuation Orders & Air Quality Warnings as Major Wildfire Rages

Southern California residents woke up this week to another reminder that wildfire season no longer waits for summer. The Springs Fire, a wind-driven blaze burning in the grass- and chaparral-covered hills east of Moreno Valley, has scorched an estimated 4,176 acres and is 25 percent contained as of early Tuesday morning. What we know about the Springs Fire • Ignition & growth: The fire started late Thursday near Gilman Springs Rd. and rapidly expanded through rugged terrain fanned by 35 mph gusts. • Evacuations: Riverside County Sheriff’s officials ordered residents in the Box Springs, Reche Canyon and The Ranch neighborhoods to leave immediately, while several adjoining zones remain under evacuation warnings. • Road closures: Portions of Highway 60 and Gilman Springs Rd. are intermittently shut as crews stage heavy equipment; commuters should plan alternate routes. • Cause: Cal Fire investigators say preliminary evidence points to a downed power line. The official cause remains under investigation. Other fires in the region To the northwest, the Crown Fire near Acton has burned 345 acres and is 40 percent contained after forcing brief structure protection operations along Crown Valley Rd.. Nationally, the Interagency Fire Center reports 63 new wildfires since Friday, underscoring the unusually early start to the 2026 fire year. Air quality & smoke impacts High-resolution smoke models show plumes from the Springs Fire pushing west into the Inland Empire and parts of Orange County this afternoon. Sensitive groups should stay indoors with windows closed and run HVAC systems on recirculate. Real-time particulate readings are available on the AirNow and IQAir “fire near me” maps, which update every 10 minutes. How to track fires near you 1. Download the free Cal Fire “Ready for Wildfire” app or sign up for county emergency alerts. 2. Bookmark the National Weather Service fire weather page for Red Flag Warning updates. 3. Use satellite wildfire layers in Google Maps by typing “fire near me” to view active perimeters and road closures. 4. Follow incident hashtags #SpringsFire and #CrownFire on X (Twitter) for live video from verified agencies. Wildfire preparation checklist • Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home; clear leaves from gutters and roofs. • Prepare a “go bag” with N95 masks, phone chargers, important documents and three days of medication. • Know at least two exit routes out of your neighborhood; practice them with family and pets. • Store outdoor cushions and flammable décor indoors when Red Flag Warnings are issued. Bottom line With vegetation at record-low moisture and offshore winds returning later this week, fire officials warn that additional ignitions are likely. Stay alert, sign up for local notifications and refresh your evacuation plan today. Searching “fire near me” before you head out could be the difference between a routine commute and getting caught in the next rapid-moving blaze.