Vegetation Fire
Incident Name: Stoddard
Date Reported: 08/30/2023
Time Reported: 1402 Hours
Incident Location: 3700 Stoddard Ave
Ward #: Ward 1 Edwards
Type of Incident: Vegetation Fire
Incident Number: RIV #23-029463
Control Time:
Fatalities:
Critical:
Moderate:
Minor:
Non Injury:
Displaced Persons: 1
Loss:
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Cause:
Evacuations: Freemont Elementary
Evacuation Comments:
Resources Assigned
Chief Officer(s): 3
Engine Companies: 11
Truck Companies: 1
Squad(s): 1
Ambulance(s): 4
Firefighter(s): 43
Safety Officer(s):
Public Information Officer(s):
Fire Investigator(s): 1
Overhead Personnel:
Mutual Aid:
Specialized Equipment:
EOC: 1
Utilities: 1
Red Cross: 1
Percent (%) Contained or Completed:
Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:
Incident Size Acreage:
Current Situation
On 8/30/2023, the City of Riverside Fire Department responded to a tree fire at the 3700 block of Stoddard Avenue. The response was upgraded to a first alarm structure dispatch due to an immediate structure threat. Fire department crews arrived on scene to find a vegetation fire burning behind multiple houses. The fire was wind driven and spotting well ahead on the main fire.
Multiple Spot fires were reported in the surrounding area and at Freemont Elementary School. Fire Department crews made an aggressive attack on the fire and kept it contained to 6 properties on Stoddard Avenue. Freemont Elementary School evacuated and students were sheltered at a nearby church.
Once the fire was placed under control the cause of the fire was investigated. Witnesses reported a homeless encampment between two adjacent sound walls on Hwy 60. The fire was determined to be human caused due to the cooking equipment at the encampment.
One house was destroyed, one detached garage, and one outbuilding were damaged as a result of the fire. There was one displaced resident with two dogs. The Red Cross was requested to the incident and will be providing emergency services for the displaced resident and dogs. There were not any civilian or firefighter injuries reported.
Assisting Aid Agencies
Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Mike Allen
Prepared By: Battalion Chief Mike Allen
Date / Time Posted: 08/30/2023 1552
Information Center: 951.826.5321
