Pyrite Fire Forces Evacuation of 11,000 in Jurupa Valley, California

A brush fire known as the Pyrite Fire broke out Friday evening near Pyrite Street and Granite Hills Drive in Jurupa Valley, prompting evacuation orders for nearby communities. Initially reported around 5:19 p.m. as a 15-acre fire burning in light, flashy fuels, the blaze rapidly expanded to approximately 140 to 150 acres within a few hours, with zero containment as of the evening. Firefighters deployed hand crews and a helicopter to combat the spread, while evacuation warnings and orders were issued for areas including Jurupa Hills and Sunnyslope. The fire's proximity to the California State Route 60 Freeway heightened concerns about safety and traffic. Although some earlier reports mentioned 75 acres burned without evacuation orders, the majority of official sources confirm evacuations were in place as the fire grew. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as crews work to contain the blaze.