A brush fire broke out in the Santa Ana River’s bottom in the Jurupa Valley area just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, burning 39 acres before firefighters late that night stopped the blaze from spreading. As of Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, containment was at 45%.

Firefighters are battling a nearly 40-acre brush fire that is burning close to homes in Jurupa Valley. The Clay Fire was first reported at around 5:15 p.m. near Pedley Road and Van Buren Boulevard, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department crews.

The quick-growing blaze ignited Tuesday afternoon in the Santa Ana River bottom. Residents nearby were placed on evacuation warnings.