Cabazon Brush Fires 100% Contained, Evacuations Canceled

CABAZON, CA — Two brush fires that erupted Wednesday on the south edge of Cabazon and scorched nearly 100 acres are 100% contained and all evacuation orders have been lifted, Riverside County Fire Department reported.

The non-injury blazes were reported about 11:45 a.m. in the area of Almond Street and Esperanza Avenue, nearly a mile south of Interstate 10, according to the department.

Multiple engine and hand crews from the county and U.S. Forest Service were sent to the location and encountered flames moving through medium brush at a moderate rate.

The parallel fires were estimated to be 15 and 80 acres, respectively, and the latter was 75% contained as of 4:30 p.m. before they were reported fully contained just before 10 p.m., according to the fire department.

The fire department reported all road closures and evacuation warnings were lifted. Two fire engines will remain at incident overnight, patrolling for any hot spots.

Four Cal Fire air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters made runs on the fires for most of the afternoon as they pushed east through the San Gorgonio Pass.

Cal Fire told Patch that four buildings were destroyed in the incident.

The cause of the fires was under investigation.