Heavy Fire Erupts At Badlands Landfill

Firefighters battled a large fire that sent heavy black smoke into the air at the Badlands landfill in Moreno Valley Sunday evening.

At approximately 5:15 p.m. on August 16, 2026, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire responded to the area of the 60 Freeway and Gilman Springs Road following reports of a vegetation fire.

Arriving crews encountered heavy smoke and fire burning near several pieces of heavy equipment at the landfill.

Due to the amount of black smoke, the responding battalion chief initially believed heavy equipment may have been burning. Firefighters later determined the flames were coming from large piles of debris.

A CAL FIRE helicopter was requested to make water drops on the fire, while several water tenders were brought in to support crews on the ground.

As of approximately 8:00 p.m., firefighters remained at the landfill and were expected to continue an extensive mop-up operation for several hours.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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