One year after Riverside’s largest fire, part one of this two-part series looks at what happened—and how the city is working to prevent it from happening again.
A magnolia in full bloom, brightening a summer day in Riverside’s Magnolia Center neighborhood. (Brenda Flowers)
Friday Gazette: July 18, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! One year ago, our city faced its most destructive wildfire—the Hawarden Fire. In today’s edition, we’re sharing Part One of a two-part series reflecting on that terrible event, the damage it caused and how it’s reshaped local wildfire prevention efforts.
We know many of you were directly impacted. If you have a story or photos from that day that you’re willing to share, we’d be truly honored to hear from you. Just reply to this email.
Wishing you a safe, restful weekend ahead—may it include a little sunshine, good company and a moment of appreciation for this resilient community we all call home.
One Year After Hawarden: What Riverside Learned—and What’s Next
One year after Riverside’s largest fire, part one of this two-part series looks at what happened—and how the city is working to prevent it from happening again.
A year ago, wildfire swept through this hillside in Riverside’s Hawarden Hills neighborhood, leaving behind scorched terrain and prompting widespread evacuations. The July 2024 blaze remains one of the city’s most destructive in recent memory. (Bob Sirotnik)
Illegal fireworks sparked Riverside's largest fire in history last July, burning 588 acres and destroying six structures. Two 16-year-olds were arrested for the blaze that cost the city an estimated $11 million in damages and response efforts.
Driving the news: City officials are using the Hawarden fire as a warning against illegal fireworks use, especially during Fourth of July celebrations.
Authorities have deployed drones to detect and document illegal fireworks within city limits.
Why it matters: Riverside is surrounded by "very high" risk areas for brush fires, according to Cal Fire's 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zones classification.
California now experiences 78 more annual "fire days" compared to 50 years ago.
The big picture: Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense in California, disrupting the state's laid-back lifestyle and making it harder for residents to find affordable homeowners insurance.
Four million homes in California are in areas vulnerable to wildfires.
What's next: The Riverside Fire Department is preparing strategies to avoid the fate of towns like Paradise, which was devastated by a wildfire in 2018.
Six Artists Selected for Riverside Residency Program
Artists will create murals, engage communities across city's seven wards.
Artist Alejandro “Mano” Mirande works on a mural at the corner of Lemon Street and University Avenue in Downtown. The Artist in Residency program aims to bring more murals like it to neighborhoods citywide, where public art has become an increasingly prominent feature. (Ken Crawford)
Six local artists have been selected for Riverside's first artist-in-residence program, bringing public art to neighborhoods across the city. The 18-month pilot initiative pairs artists with specific city wards to create murals and engage with communities.
Driving the news: The program, funded by American Rescue Plan Act money, aims to strengthen connections between artists and Riverside's diverse neighborhoods through collaborative community engagement.
Each artist will receive up to $25,000 and a $5,000 production budget for their projects.
Why it matters: The initiative brings art to areas that may be less familiar with the selected artists' work, ensuring community input on mural placement and subject matter.
Artists must engage directly with residents in their assigned areas, reflecting community needs in their final works.
The artists: Pavel Acevedo (Wards 1 and 2), Richie "Dela Deso" Velazquez (Ward 3), Patrick Barwinski (Ward 4), Maryam Trebeau Crogman (Ward 5), Ronald Del Cid (Ward 6), and Alejandro "Mano" Mirande (Ward 7).
What's next: Community advisory meetings will be scheduled to gather input on the projects, which will be permanently installed in public spaces through December 2026.
The Riverside Arts Council will manage the program in partnership with the city's Arts and Cultural Affairs Division.
UCR's roster reflects strong Southern California recruiting. Of the team's 29 players, 24 come from Bakersfield south through Southern California, with one additional player from Tijuana, Baja California. The regional concentration includes players from established club programs like San Diego Surf, Orange County SC, LA Galaxy and LAFC. Many competed against each other in youth leagues before joining UCR. Freshman defender Mika Sebastian Kosch, from Frankfurt, Germany, adds international experience to the primarily local roster.
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Coco is a playful and high-energy pup who’s always ready for adventure! She loves to run, splash in water, chase after balls, and explore every scent she can find. This smart girl is eager to learn and responds well to training. She’s friendly, fun-loving, and would thrive with an active family who can keep up with her zest for life.
Come meet Coco and all the adoptable pets at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
Now through July 19, adoption fees for dogs are just $70 as part of the Empty the Shelters event.
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