Brush Fire Spreads 150 Acres, Shuts 71, 91 Freeways in Chino Hills

A rapidly spreading brush fire named the Euclid Fire broke out near Chino Hills on Wednesday afternoon, causing the closure of both directions of the 71 Freeway as well as parts of the 91 Freeway. The fire, first reported around 1:45-2:08 p.m., quickly expanded from an initial estimate of 15 to 150 acres, with Cal Fire warning it could grow to 500 acres. The blaze jumped across the freeway and spread into areas near Prado Regional Park and Chino Creek, prompting the California Highway Patrol to urge drivers to avoid the area due to heavy traffic backups. Firefighters, including ground crews and air support with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, worked to contain the fire, which was burning through dry brush and thicker vegetation. While no homes were reported threatened and no evacuations were ordered, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The situation is ongoing, and reopening times for the affected freeways have not been announced.