If you woke up to that weird, familiar smell of smoke or saw a haze hanging over the Cajon Pass this morning, you aren't alone. Honestly, living in the Inland Empire means "fire season" isn't really a season anymore—it’s just a Tuesday. Or in this case, a Thursday.
Today, January 15, 2026, the situation across the IE is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a record-breaking winter heat wave pushing temperatures into the 80s, which usually spells disaster. But there's a bit of a twist. Thanks to some heavy rain we saw late last month, the hills aren't as "tinder-dry" as they usually are during a Santa Ana wind event. That said, things have been popping off in specific spots, and if you're commuting or living near the foothills, you've probably noticed the activity.
What’s burning? The current status of fires in the IE today
The biggest headline right now isn't actually a wildfire started by lightning or a tossed cigarette. It’s a tragic scene in San Bernardino.
Yesterday morning, right around 7:15 a.m., a massive multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Del Rosa Avenue turned into a literal inferno. Three cars were fully engulfed in flames. By the time San Bernardino County Fire crews got there, the fire was aggressive. Sadly, two people lost their lives at that scene. The intersection—a major artery for anyone heading toward the 210 or San Bernardino International Airport—was shut down for a massive chunk of the day.
While that was a "vehicle fire," it’s a stark reminder of how fast things ignite here.
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Further south in Riverside County, Cal Fire has been tracking a few smaller "outside fires." On January 14, a blaze dubbed the MOUN Fire (CB 74-505) was reported. These smaller brush fires often don't make the national news, but they are the ones that keep local crews from Indio to Moreno Valley on high alert. Riverside County Fire Department stats show they've already handled over 400 fire-related calls in just the first two weeks of 2026.
That is a staggering number for January.
The Santa Ana factor and the "Winter Heat Wave"
It feels like summer. Literally. Meteorologists like Brian Lewis from the National Weather Service have been pointing out that we are hitting record numbers—Pasadena and parts of the IE are brushing up against 85 degrees today.
Usually, Santa Ana winds plus 85-degree weather equals a Red Flag Warning. But right now, the fire risk is actually rated as "low" to "moderate" in many areas.
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Why? Because the fuel moisture is still relatively high from the December storms. Basically, the plants have enough water in them still that they aren't ready to explode the second a spark hits. But don't let that make you lazy. The winds are still pushing through the canyons, and once that wind speed hits a certain threshold, even "wet" brush can carry a flame if the fire is hot enough.
Why the "High Hazard" maps just changed
If you haven't looked at the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for 2026, you probably should. State officials just finished a massive overhaul, and about one in eight Californians now lives in a "Very High" hazard zone.
In the Inland Empire, this is especially true for the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). We’re talking about places like:
- The foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.
- The canyons near Corona and Lake Elsinore.
- The outskirts of Beaumont and Banning where the wind literally never stops.
The new models aren't just looking at trees anymore. They’re looking at "ember transport." Science basically caught up to what we saw in the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires—embers can fly miles ahead of the actual fire line, landing on a roof and gutting a house while the "fire" is still on the other side of the ridge.
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Navigating the smoke: Practical steps for IE residents
Look, the "fires in the IE today" might be contained or small, but the air quality is still junk in some pockets. If you’re in San Bernardino or Redlands, you might be catching some of the residual soot from those vehicle fires or smaller brush clearances.
First, check your localized air quality. Don't just look at the weather app; use something like PurpleAir to see what’s happening on your specific street. If it’s over 100, keep the kids inside.
Second, if you’re one of the thousands living in those newly designated "High Hazard" zones, you've gotta harden the house. This isn't just about raking leaves.
- Get 1/8-inch metal mesh over your attic vents. Those embers we talked about? They love crawling into your attic through those big old-fashioned vents.
- Check your "Zone 0." That's the first five feet around your house. If you have mulch or woody bushes touching your siding, you’re basically giving a fire a ladder to your roof.
It’s also worth noting that Cal Fire has lifted many burn suspensions in the region, but that doesn't mean it’s a free-for-all. Always check the daily status before you think about burning yard waste. One gust of wind through the pass can turn a backyard pile into a 50-acre problem in about ten minutes.
The reality of the IE in 2026 is that we live in a beautiful, windy, sometimes combustible bowl. We’ve seen the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire chew through thousands of acres just a year ago. We've seen how fast a traffic accident on Highland Avenue can turn into a tragedy. Staying informed isn't just about watching the news; it's about knowing which way the wind is blowing—literally.
Next Steps for IE Residents:
- Verify your zone: Go to the CAL FIRE 3D map and plug in your address to see if your hazard level changed in the 2026 update.
- Update your "Go Bag": If you haven't touched it since last summer, check the batteries and any medications that might have expired.
- Sign up for alerts: Ensure you are registered for Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) in San Bernardino County or AlertRivCo in Riverside County to get immediate evacuation notices on your phone.