Wind-Driven Mulch Fire Explodes In Ontario

ONTARIO (CBSLA) – It took more than eight hours for crews to contain a massive mulch fire which erupted in Ontario early Thursday morning amid gusty Santa Ana winds.

The fire broke out in the area of Euclid and Chino avenues at 1:20 a.m., according to an Ontario Fire Department Battalion Chief Scot Roeber.

Crews arrived on scene to find several 20- to 25-foot-high mulch piles ablaze, Roeber said. The fire quickly grew, sending flames and smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air. The exact size of the fire was not confirmed.

At one point some outbuildings threatened, but no structures were lost. A little after 10 a.m., the fire department reported that the blaze had been fully contained, but was continuing to burn. Crews were expected to remain on scene throughout the day.

Smoke from the blaze was traveling in a southwest direction towards Chino and Orange County. Residents were advised to keep windows closed.

The Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department and the San Bernardino County Fire Department both sent crews to assist in battling the blaze.