Fire Crews Quickly Contain Mandalay Wilderness Fire, Evacuation Orders Lifted

Riverside Fire Department, assisted by Cal Fire crews, successfully contained a wildfire that ignited Sunday afternoon in the wilderness area near Tyler and Mandalay in the northwest corner of the city, preventing any structural damage and allowing evacuation orders to be lifted by 9 p.m.

The fire started around 1:30 p.m. and prompted an immediate response from Cal Fire, which issued evacuation orders for the affected area. Crews established a blockade at Tyler Street and Arlington Avenue, just south of the fire’s location, to enforce the evacuations and maintain public safety.

Despite the challenging terrain in the wilderness area, firefighters worked swiftly to establish containment lines and suppress the flames before they could threaten nearby structures. The rapid response and coordinated efforts of Cal Fire personnel proved effective in limiting the fire’s spread and duration.

Residents in the evacuation zone were able to return to their homes Sunday evening after orders were lifted just after 9 p.m. While the immediate danger had passed, some residents reported lingering smoke odors in the area, which is typical following vegetation fires.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged in the incident, highlighting the effectiveness of the rapid emergency response.