Verona fire updates: Fast-moving blaze threatens homes near Homeland and Hemet, evacuations ordered

A wind-driven brush fire that broke out north of Homeland early Tuesday afternoon, May 19, destroyed outbuildings, threatened homes and prompted evacuations before calming for a while, then flaring up again into the night.

At first, forward progress on the 200-acre Verona fire was stopped shortly after 3:30 p.m., according to Watch Duty, a nonprofit app that tracks wildfires. But the blaze came roaring back in the evening, according to Watch Duty.

As of about 7:30, the fire grew to 600 acres as the flames spread downhill towards structures. By 9 p.m., however, the fire was mapped at 439 acres, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Winds between 5 and 10 mph were expected to lighten through Tuesday night.

The flare-up prompted an evacuation of the Four Seasons, a gated retirement community, and other parts of Hemet. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials requested 10 additional engines to protect structures, as well as air resources since the fire resurged, according to Watch Duty.

Amy Singer, 29, and Gloria Roe, 34, were walking at Winchester-Domenigoni Park, where activity was lower than usual, but cut their daily post-work walk early because of the smoke and ash in the air. The park is a few miles past the Verona fire evacuation area.

“It’s just not healthy,” Singer said. “I can hardly breathe.”

“My hair smells like a campfire,” Roe commented. “And I just washed it yesterday. I can feel the smoke getting into my lungs, too.”

The duo said they’d been keeping up with Cal Fire for updates, and they live South of the park, where homes were not currently being evacuated. Singer added that she hopes the fire will be more contained soon.

The Verona fire was first reported at 12:20 p.m. on a hillside around Juniper Springs and Juniper Flats roads north of Highway 74.

See evacuation map here.

The flames moved quickly through medium-height brush, burning 175 acres as of mid-afternoon at what Cal Fire described as “a dangerous rate of spread.”

Firefighters established a defensive perimeter and prevented the fire from damaging occupied homes, according to reports from the scene. Mandatory evacuations were implemented for properties scattered south of Juniper Springs Road.

Allen Morales, 72, was walking his dog Duke, a graying German Shepherd, on Tuesday afternoon when he stopped to look over in the direction of the smoke from the Verona fire.

“You know, I used to worry about earthquakes,” Morales said. “Now, fires have taken the priority.”

He said his home, near the Seven Hills Golf Course, has lumber stacked outside, and was on the cusp of evacuation areas.

“My place’ll go up in flames,” Morales said. “It better not keep spreading out. The firefighters know what they’re doing, though.”

When asked why he was outside, Morales said dogs still need to go, even during fires.

An evacuation warning was declared for the Panorama Cove Mobile Home Park at 32600 Highway 74. Some evacuation warnings were lifted as of shortly before 5 p.m.

An evacuation shelter was established at West Valley High School, 3401 Mustang Way in Hemet, and an animal shelter was designated for large and small animals at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S Grand Ave.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for the Gardens of Riverside Elderly Home.

The cause of the fire was not immediately announced.

City News Service contributed to this report.