Fireworks blamed for massive fire destroying Riverside County homes; Suspects sought

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - A wildfire that broke out in Riverside County over the weekend, destroying homes and forcing residents in the area to evacuate, was caused by illegal fireworks, according to Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson.

The wildfire, dubbed the Hawarden Fire, was first reported around 2 p.m. Sunday in the area of Hawarden Drive and Mary Street in the city of Riverside, within the Alessandro Heights neighborhood, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

Crews had contained the Hawarden Fire by Thursday, according to Cal Fire, after it had burned approximately 527 acres. 

At least six homes were destroyed, and seven others were damaged. The damage caused by the fire is estimated at about $10 million.

New video released on Tuesday shows three young arson suspects running from the origin point of the Hawarden Fire. Authorities are now searching for those suspects, who were seen speeding away from the area in a silver pickup truck.

Police are searching for the suspects who allegedly caused the Hawarden Fire and drove away from the scene in a silver pickup truck. (Riverside PD) (FOX 11)

Mayor Dawson said more than $1 million has been spent on resources used to battle the Hawarden Fire.

FEMA said on Monday that federal funds will be used to help the State of California in combating the Hawarden Fire. 

In an update Monday, Cal Fire said all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. No injuries have been reported.

A second wildfire also sparked in Riverside County over the weekend. The Eagle Fire broke out east of Corona near Eagle Canyon and Cajalco roads. Crews fully contained the Eagle Fire by Tuesday. All told, the fire scorched 1,710 acres. All evacuation orders and warnings have since been lifted. 

The fires come during an extended heat wave that forecasters warned would bring elevated critical fire weather conditions over the valleys, mountains, and deserts through Thursday.