Fire Department

The Riverside County CA Fire Department provides fire protection, emergency response, prevention services, public safety education, and community support programs throughout Riverside County and partner communities. This article explains how the department operates, where residents can find incident information, how permits and inspections work, how to request records, and which offices handle specific fire-related services.

Riverside County Fire Department Services

The Riverside County Fire Department protects life, property, and the environment through fire protection and emergency services. The department works with CAL FIRE and provides services to unincorporated areas of Riverside County as well as partner cities. Information about the department’s mission, organization, service area, and programs is available through the Riverside County Fire Department official website.

Emergency response is a major part of department operations. Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, and other emergency situations. The department explains that firefighters are trained to handle medical emergencies, and many engine companies include paramedic firefighters. Residents should call 9-1-1 for emergencies because the emergency system routes calls to the appropriate response agency and helps dispatch resources quickly.

Emergency Response Operations

The department uses a Standard Response Plan to determine the type and amount of equipment sent to an incident. The number of responding units depends on the type of emergency. For example, a residential structure fire response may include multiple engine companies, a squad or medic unit, and a Battalion Chief. If additional resources are not needed, they may be released by the Incident Commander.

The department also provides a live incidents feed where the public can view significant active incidents and recent emergency activity. The feed does not display names, addresses, or other private information. Incident reports and additional records can be requested through the department’s public records process.

Fire Stations and Service Areas

Riverside County Fire Department operates fire stations throughout the county to provide emergency coverage close to residents and communities. The fire station directory and map allows users to locate stations by city or battalion and view station addresses and phone numbers.

The department serves unincorporated Riverside County areas and partner cities through cooperative fire and emergency service agreements. Partner communities served by Riverside County Fire Department include Banning, Beaumont, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Eastvale, Indian Wells, Indio, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Norco, Palm Desert, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Rubidoux, San Jacinto, Temecula, and Wildomar.

Finding a Local Station

Residents looking for their nearest station can use the department’s station locator. Fire stations are organized by battalion and city, making it easier to identify the closest location for general information or community-related questions. Emergency calls should still be directed to 9-1-1 rather than individual fire stations.

Fire Prevention and Permits

The Riverside County Fire Department provides fire prevention services, construction reviews, inspections, and permit information through its Fire Prevention programs. Residents, property owners, and businesses may need fire permits for certain activities, construction projects, or special events.

The department’s permits information page includes information about burn permits, model rocket permits, construction permits, special event permits, and fire life safety inspections.

Burn Permit Requirements

A permit is required for agricultural or tumbleweed open burning. Residents must obtain a “Permit to Burn” from their local fire station before conducting approved burning activities. Burn authorization requirements may also apply before burning begins.

Burning must involve only approved materials, including waste materials produced entirely from agricultural operations or tumbleweeds when permitted.

A Burn Authorization Number may be required before burning.

Open burning hours are restricted and may change based on weather conditions and other factors determined by the local fire station.

Residents should review current requirements before planning any burning activity because restrictions may change based on fire conditions.

Office of the County Fire Marshal

The Office of the County Fire Marshal provides fire planning, inspections, hazard reduction services, construction review, and fire protection information. The office reviews planning cases for Riverside County and contract cities, performs fire life safety inspections for state-regulated occupancies, and reviews permits for construction and special events.

Information about these programs is available through the Office of the County Fire Marshal.

Construction and Fire Inspections

Fire Marshal services include reviewing construction development projects, providing fire protection standards information, and scheduling fire inspections. To schedule a fire inspection, applicants must provide information such as the fire inspection type, fire permit number, project name, address or assessor’s parcel number, contractor information, contact details, and requested inspection date.

The office also provides information about ordinances, standards, construction resources, special event requirements, and fire protection guidelines used within Riverside County.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Fire Hazard Severity Zones identify areas with different levels of wildfire hazard potential based on factors such as terrain, vegetation, fire history, climate, and weather conditions. Riverside County Fire Department provides information about updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and Local Responsibility Area classifications.

The department’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones information explains that these maps identify hazard potential rather than immediate risk. They do not account for every local condition, such as defensible space improvements or fire-resistant construction.

Property Owner Responsibilities

Properties located in certain fire hazard areas may have additional fire safety requirements. Owners in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain defensible space around structures, follow home hardening requirements, comply with applicable wildfire building standards, and disclose fire hazard zone information when selling property.

Residents can review their property’s fire hazard designation and learn about wildfire preparedness measures through department information and available mapping resources.

Hazard Reduction Programs

The Riverside County Fire Department Hazard Reduction Office works to address hazardous vegetation, abandoned orchards, neglected groves, vineyards, and other conditions that may create fire dangers. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property throughout the year.

The department provides a Hazard Reduction program page with information about vegetation hazards, notices to abate, defensible space guidelines, and complaint submissions.

Notices and Appeals

Property owners who receive a Notice of Violation and Order to Abate must respond by addressing the identified hazard. If a property owner wants to appeal a notice, the appeal must be submitted in writing within the required period stated for the applicable ordinance.

Ordinance 695 notices require appeals within fifteen calendar days of the postmark date.
Ordinance 772 notices require appeals within thirty calendar days of the postmark date.

Public Records and Incident Reports

The Riverside County Fire Department provides access to public records through its Public Records Request process. Records may include documents generated and maintained by the department as part of its operations.

The department’s Public Records Request page explains that Riverside County Fire Department uses a public records portal where residents can submit requests, communicate with staff, and track requests online.

Requesting Fire Reports

Residents requesting incident reports should use the department’s public records process. The department identifies its Custodian of Records as the office responsible for public records assistance, including fire reports and related documentation requests.

Community Education Programs

Riverside County Fire Department provides fire safety education programs designed to teach residents about fire prevention and emergency preparedness. Programs include youth fire safety education, community outreach, and information about protecting homes from wildfire threats.

The department also offers resources related to smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, home escape plans, earthquake preparedness, and wildfire safety practices.

Reserve Firefighter Program

The Riverside County Fire Department Reserve Program provides community members with opportunities to support emergency services through different reserve roles. Positions include Reserve Firefighter, Reserve Water Tender Operator, Reserve Photographer, Reserve Mobile Emergency Operations Communications Technician, Reserve Chaplain, Reserve Peer Support Specialist, and Reserve Comfort K9 Handler.

Reserve Firefighter applicants must meet requirements including being at least 18 years old, completing high school or equivalent education, and having a valid California driver’s license. Training, onboarding requirements, and program responsibilities vary by position.

Fire Department Contact Information

The Riverside County Fire Department provides general public assistance, fire prevention contacts, and specialized program contacts through its offices. Residents should use the appropriate office based on the type of request.

Department Offices

Riverside County Fire Department — 210 W. San Jacinto Avenue, Perris, CA 92570 — (951) 940-6900

Office of the County Fire Marshal — Riverside County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, 10th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501 — (951) 955-4777

Office of the County Fire Marshal Desert Office — 77-933 Las Montanas Rd. #201, Palm Desert, CA 92211 — (760) 863-8886

Riverside County Fire Department Hazard Reduction — 88 East Rider Street, Perris, CA 92571 — (951) 943-0640

Fire Department FAQs

How can I check active fire incidents?

Residents can view current emergency activity through the Riverside County Fire Department’s Live Incidents Feed. The feed provides updates on significant incidents and recent activity while protecting private information by not displaying names, addresses, or other personal details. For incidents requiring additional documentation, residents can request reports through the department’s public records process.

Where can I find my nearest fire station?

The Riverside County Fire Department provides a Fire Stations directory and map to help residents locate nearby stations by city or battalion. The station locator is useful for finding community information, station locations, and general services. Emergency situations should always be reported through 9-1-1 because dispatch systems send the appropriate resources based on the location and type of emergency.

How do I request fire records or incident reports?

Fire reports and other department records can be requested through the Riverside County Fire Department Public Records Request process. The department provides an online records portal that allows the public to submit requests, communicate regarding requests, and track progress. Requests should include enough information to help identify the records being requested, such as the incident details and related documentation needed.

What permits may be required for burning or special activities?

The Riverside County Fire Department provides permit information for activities such as open burning, model rockets, construction projects, and special events through its permits information page. Agricultural or tumbleweed open burning requires approval and a permit from the local fire station before burning begins. Requirements, allowable materials, and burning conditions may vary based on current fire conditions and applicable regulations.

How can I report a fire hazard on a property?

Residents can submit concerns about hazardous vegetation or other fire-related property conditions through the Riverside County Fire Department Hazard Reduction process. The department reviews hazard complaints involving conditions that may affect public safety and provides information about abatement requirements, defensible space, and property maintenance responsibilities.