Fire Captain Gives Update On RivCo Blazes: Nearly 9,000 Acres Burned

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Cal Fire Captain Richard Cordova gave a Monday update on four wildfires burning in Riverside County (watch below) that have consumed nearly 9,000 acres.

See all evacuation updates here.

The causes of all the fires remain under investigation by officials.

As a result of the blazes, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory. AQMD officials urged people to limit exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed, avoiding strenuous physical activity, using air conditions rather than swamp coolers or fans that bring in outside air, and wearing respirator masks while outdoors.

Watch the captain's message and read more below:

Rabbit Fire

The largest blaze continues to be the Rabbit Fire. As of Monday morning, the fire in Lakeview had grown to 7,950 acres and was 35% contained, according to fire officials.

One civilian was injured in the blaze, but there were no details provided.

Shortly after the captain provided an update, fire officials downgraded two evacuation order zones to evacuation warning.

ZONE 1:
South of Seneca Springs
East of Highway 79
West of Manzanita Park Road
North of Forest Boundary Road

ZONE 2:
South of East 1st Street
East of Olive Avenue
West of Highway 79
North of California Ave/Highway 79

California Avenue from East 1st Street to Highway 79 remains closed.

See all the latest Rabbit Fire evacuation updates here.

The Rabbit Fire remained active, burning in tall grass and brush, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Friday northeast of Gilman Springs Road and Jack Rabbit Trail.

There were 152 structures threatened, but no structures have been destroyed or damaged, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

An evacuation center for people and small animals was set in place at Beaumont High School at 39139 Cherry Valley Blvd. Large animals were being accepted at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 South Grand Ave.

Anyone who needs assistance with animal evacuations can call Cal Fire/Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.

Road closures include southbound Highway 79, County Landfill Road and Bridge Street. Roads that are reopening at 4 a.m. Monday are northbound Highway 79 from Gilman Springs to Beaumont Avenue, Gilman Springs between Alessandro and Highway 79.

A total of 88 fire engines, seven water tenders and numerous air tankers were utilized to suppress the spread of the fire.

Reche Fire

Firefighters worked overnight to quell a brush fire in a canyon north of Moreno Valley that consumed 437 acres, increasing containment to 85%, officials said Monday.

The fire was reported at about 1 p.m. Friday in the 9400 block of Reche Canyon Road, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Road closures and evacuation orders sent out Saturday for residents south of Reche Canyon Road, west of Locust/Truth, north of Alta Vista and east of Reche Vista Drive/Perris Boulevard have been lifted, the department said.

At the height of the blaze, at least six Cal Fire air tankers and six water-dropping helicopters made runs on the blaze, successfully slowing its advance, enabling crews to start tightening up gaps.

Gavilan Fire

A brush fire that erupted in the Gavilan Hills area near Perris was 50% contained Monday after burning 338 acres, with road closures and an evacuation warning still in place.

The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Gavilan and Idaleona Roads, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

On Sunday, an evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation warning for Idaleona Road between Gavilan Road and Gold Valley Road; Gavilan Road at Multiview Road; and Gavilan Road at Lake Matthews Road.

The following road closures remained in place Monday:
— Idaleona Road between Panamint Lane and Gavilan Road; and
— Gavilan Road between Multiview and Pinon Drive.

Officials said all large and small animals can be taken to Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 6851 Van Buren Blvd.

A reception and care center for people seeking assistance was established at Martin Luther High School at 9301 Wood Road in Riverside, the fire department reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The smallest of four brush fires burning was holding at about 105 acres in the Beaumont area.

Highland Fire

The Highland Fire in Beaumont was 98% contained as of 8 a.m. Monday and no road closures or evacuations were in effect in the area of the fire.

The blaze broke out around 3 p.m. Friday south of Interstate 10 along Highland Springs Avenue and Sunningdale Street, near Breckenridge Avenue, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Fire officials initially reported the blaze had consumed 225 acres, and evacuation orders and warnings were issued. But subsequent updates put the size of the fire at 105 acres.

All evacuation warnings were lifted Friday evening.

There were no reports of any injuries or structure damage.

—City News Service and Patch editor Toni McAllister contributed to this report.