The winds haven’t affected the Coachella Valley as much as other areas in Southern California, but when it comes, it brings fire danger, respiratory issues and dangerous road conditions.
Individuals can be held liable if a fire escapes their control and if it burns into neighboring property, fire officials said. Residents can contact the South Coast Air Quality Management District at 866-966-3293, a day prior to burning, to verify that it’s a permitted burn day and to confirm that they don’t need an inspection.
“Edison negligently, recklessly and willfully failed to maintain an appropriate clearance area between the electrical equipment in its utility infrastructure and surrounding vegetation,” according to the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit brought Friday, alleging negligence, nuisance and trespass, and seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Fire crews responded to the 44600 block of South Heritage Palms Drive at 1:58 p.m. Wednesday, a spokesperson with the Riverside County Fire Department told City News Service.
Firefighters are making progress Friday battling the Fairview Fire near Hemet with containment at 94%, but full containment was not expected until Saturday, while evacuation orders inside the fire perimeter were reduced to warnings, authorities said.
