Redlands crews assist on 2,600-acre Riverside County wildfire

REDLANDS, Calif. — Redlands firefighters have returned home after assisting with suppression efforts on the Shore Fire burning in Riverside County, according to the Redlands Fire Department.

The wildfire, which ignited Monday in San Timoteo Canyon south east of Redlands, had grown to approximately 2,600 acres and was 25% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to CAL FIRE.

Redlands Fire Department deployed Medic Engine 261 and Battalion Chief 706 to support firefighting operations through California's mutual aid system.

Medic Engine 261 assisted with structure defense and direct fire suppression efforts on the fire line, while Battalion Chief 706 worked with CAL FIRE officials to help establish the incident command structure and coordinate incoming resources, Redlands Fire Department spokesperson Dustin Whitaker said Tuesday in a message to Community Forward Redlands.

Because the Redlands crew was committed to the incident for an extended period on Monday, the department initiated an emergency callback and staffed an additional engine company to maintain local emergency response coverage.

"This allowed us to quickly restore our minimum staffing levels and maintain full emergency response coverage within the city of Redlands while continuing to support our mutual aid partners," Whitaker said.

Both the engine company and battalion chief have since been released from the incident and returned to Redlands.

Whitaker emphasized that the wildfire never posed a significant threat to Redlands residents.

"Prevailing winds pushed the fire eastward, keeping it away from the city, and we did not issue or anticipate any evacuation warnings or orders for Redlands residents," he said.

According to CAL FIRE, firefighters continued air and ground operations overnight Monday and into Tuesday to strengthen containment lines around the fire perimeter. Evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect in portions of Riverside County as crews worked toward full containment.

The Shore Fire is one of several active wildfires burning across California this week.