Riverside Daily Briefing: Measles Alert, Fair Crowds, and Freeway Crashes

Riverside, CA – Here is a quick look at what is happening around Riverside and western Riverside County today.

Health officials monitor localized measles outbreak

Riverside County health officials are tracking a localized measles outbreak centered in the western part of the county. Recent reports describe multiple confirmed cases tied to the area, following the county’s first measles case of 2026 earlier this month.

Public health leaders are urging residents to check their vaccination records, especially for children and anyone planning to travel or spend time in crowded indoor spaces. They note that measles is highly contagious and can spread before symptoms are obvious, making timely MMR vaccination and quick response to possible exposures key to containing the outbreak.

Injury crashes reported along the 91 Freeway

Several injury crashes were reported along the 91 Freeway in Riverside over the weekend, adding to already heavy Presidents Day traffic. A pursuit-related collision on the westbound 91 at the La Sierra off-ramp early Sunday sent emergency crews to the scene, where at least one vehicle lost control near the exit.

Separate reports also described injury crashes on the eastbound 91 near Tyler Street and at surface-street intersections in the city. Law enforcement continues to investigate the incidents while reminding drivers to slow down, leave extra space in holiday traffic, and watch for sudden slowdowns near major interchanges.

Date Festival draws big regional crowds

The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is in full swing in Indio, continuing through early March and drawing large crowds from across the region, including many Riverside families. Organizers expect tens of thousands of visitors for rides, arena shows, concerts, and the traditional date-themed food.

Fair officials are encouraging visitors to plan ahead for parking and longer travel times on routes heading east through the Coachella Valley. With busy weekend and holiday schedules, local agencies recommend arriving early, using marked lots, and watching for pedestrians around the fairgrounds.

Looking ahead

With the measles situation evolving and major events and freeway construction continuing around the county, residents are being encouraged to build in extra travel time, keep an eye on public health updates, and use official county channels for the latest advisories.

Sources

• https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2026/02/15/localized-measles-outbreak-confirmed-in-western-riverside-county-as-cases-rise-nationwide
• https://www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2026/02/13/western-riverside-county-confirms-localized-measles-outbreak
• https://localaccidentreports.com/category/california/riverside-california
• https://localaccidentreports.com/riverside-ca-pursuit-related-injury-crash-on-91-fwy-wb-at-la-sierra
• https://www.datefest.org/
• https://10times.com/the-riverside-county
• https://riversiderecord.org/riverside-county-reports-first-measles-case-of-2026/