UPDATE: ‘Euclid Fire' Sends Smoke Our Way

7/19 7:25 a.m. UPDATE: A wildfire that has scorched 60 acres in the Prado Basin area and sent smoke across Southwest Riverside County Wednesday afternoon was expected to be fully contained later this morning.

The so-called Euclid Fire broke out just before 3 p.m. Wednesday along State Route 71 just north of State Route 91 on the border of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

It was 75 percent contained late Wednesday and full containment was expected by 8 a.m., according to a department statement.

More than 150 firefighters from Riverside and San Bernardino counties and the Corona and Chino fire departments battled the flames with the assistance of two water-dropping helicopters, according to fire officials.

No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. --City News Service

7/18 5:10 p.m. ORIGINAL POST: “There is a ton of drift smoke.”

That’s what Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson said Wednesday afternoon regarding local reports of a brush fire.

“Actually, the smoke is coming from the ‘Euclid Fire’ off the 71,” Hendrickson said.

Despite being miles away from the blaze, which is burning in the Prado Basin north of the 91 Freeway, local residents are inquiring.

One email correspondent said he thought the fire was off State Route 74 in Perris.

Hendrickson confirmed that is not the case.

According to her update at 4:55 p.m., the Euclid Fire has scorched more than 20 acres and is 50 percent contained. It was reported just before 3 p.m.

There are no reported injuries and no reports of structures lost in the blaze.