Crystal Lakes residents ordered to evacuate as crews work to contain Pearl Fire

Residents in path of blaze told to leave immediately

As crews continue to battle the Pearl Fire burning in Riverside County, residents in the path of the blaze have been ordered to evacuate immediately.

The fire, which started Wednesday afternoon, has already burned more than 1,000 acres and is threatening homes in the Crystal Lakes area. Evacuation orders are in place for all residents south of Highway 74 and west of Highway 243.

The Riverside County Fire Department is urging residents to leave immediately and to follow the evacuation routes posted on the department's website.

Firefighters making progress, but containment still at 0%

Firefighters are making progress in containing the Pearl Fire, but full containment is still at 0%. As of Thursday morning, the fire was 20% contained.

More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, using air tankers and helicopters to drop water and fire retardant.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

What caused the fire?

The cause of the Pearl Fire is still under investigation. However, officials say that the fire started in a remote area of the San Bernardino National Forest.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was started by lightning.

How to help

There are a number of ways to help those affected by the Pearl Fire.

• Donate to the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing food, shelter, and other assistance to evacuees.
• Donate to local charities. There are a number of local charities that are providing assistance to evacuees. You can find a list of these charities on the website of the United Way of the Inland Valleys.
• Volunteer your time. You can volunteer your time to help evacuees at a local shelter or food bank.

Stay informed

For the latest information on the Pearl Fire, visit the website of the Riverside County Fire Department.

You can also follow the department on social media for updates.