(This story was updated with new information.)
Three separate fires burning south of Lake Perris merged into one wildfire Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 6, burning about 100 acres across flat terrain and a hillside. A road was closed as firefighters attacked the blaze.
The Pico Fire was reported at 11:56 a.m. near Ramona Expressway and Pico Avenue in Nuevo, a rural community east of Lake Perris and the city of Perris in Riverside County, according to Cal Fire's Riverside County Unit.
It has the potential to grew to 500 acres, according to Watch Duty, a free app that offers real-time wildfire updates by drawing from firefighters' radio traffic and other sources.
About 100 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, including eight engines, three hand crews
and a helicopter, Cal Fire reported. Additional engines have been requested.
Pico Fire evacuations
No evacuation orders or warnings were in place for the Pico Fire as of early Tuesday afternoon.
Evacuation boundaries can also change quickly during a wildfire. Real-time alerts are available through Genasys Protect at protect.genasys.com or through its mobile app. Tapping a zone on the map shows the streets and landmarks that define the boundaries of an evacuation warning or order.
Pico Fire road closures
Ramona Expressway was closed between Lakeview Drive and Rider Street, according to the City of Perris.
VEGETATION FIRE - rpt @ 11:56AM.
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) October 6, 2026
Ramona Expressway / Pico Avenue, Nuevo. Firefighters are on-scene of approximately 100 acres burning on a hillside. Additional engines requested and responding. #PicoFIRE @RivCoNow pic.twitter.com/y6kj0JV76n
Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pico Fire in Riverside County grows to 100 acres; road closed
