Shore Fire Grows To 2,600 Acres Near Calimesa

Firefighters continued battling the Badlands Fire near Calimesa on June 16, 2026, as the wildfire grew to approximately 2,600 acres and reached roughly 30% containment.

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:23 p.m. on June 15 near Lake Shore Drive and San Timoteo Canyon Road in the rugged Badlands area between Interstate 10 and State Route 60.

Fueled by gusty afternoon winds, the fire spread rapidly through heavy vegetation, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for nearby residents and businesses.

As flames approached the 60 Freeway, authorities temporarily shut down westbound lanes between Beaumont and Moreno Valley Monday night. The freeway later reopened, though traffic delays continued and the dedicated truck lane remained closed due to firefighting operations.

Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including Riverside County Fire, Cal Fire, Hemet Fire Department, Palm Springs Fire Department, and other assisting departments.

Cal Fire helicopters continued making water drops Tuesday while crews worked challenging terrain to strengthen containment lines around the fire.

An evacuation center was established at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, while accommodations for large animals were made available at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

No homes have been reported destroyed, and no injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.