Beaumont Area Fire Burns At 'Moderate To Dangerous Rate'

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Riverside County Fire officials report the fire is 100 percent contained after burning through 214 acres. Crews are expected to remain on scene for some time for cleanup.

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UPDATE 1 P.M.: Fire officials say the blaze is holding steady at 30 acres.

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BEAUMONT, CA — Firefighters have responded Saturday to a blaze burning in the Beaumont area. The fire was reported at 11:32 a.m. in the area of Lamb Canyon and California, which is in the unincorporated part of Riverside County just south of town, the Riverside County Fire Department tells Patch.

The fire sent a large smoke plume into the Pass Area on Saturday afternoon. As of 12:30p.m., it was estimated to be 20 acres in size and was burning rapidly.

Those first to the scene reported that the blaze was consuming "light flashy fuels, burning at a moderate to dangerous rate of spread."

"The fire is holding within the road structure, and burning on the west side of Lamb Canyon Road," the fire department said.

More than 170 firefighters were sent to the scene, along with three air tankers and two helicopters.

The sparsely populated area is marked by rugged, hilly terrain difficult to access, except by dirt roads.

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