Palmer Fire: Beaumont Blaze Balloons To 3,300 Acres; 450 Evacuated; Cause Determined (UPDATE)

SEE SUNDAY UPDATE on the Palmer Fire here —> PALMER FIRE: 3,300 Acres Charred In Fireworks-Sparked Blaze, Evacuations Hold [VIDEO, PHOTOS]

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BEAUMONT, CA — A wildfire burning in Beaumont grew to 3,300 acres Sunday morning and some mandatory evacuations are in place, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. The so-called Palmer Fire is burning near San Timoteo Canyon Road and Fishernan's Retreat. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. and fire officials described it as burning at a "moderate" rate. The fire is 15 percent contained.

As of the latest update from the Riverside County Fire Department, an estimated 3,300 acres had burned by 7 a.m. What's more, we know now what sparked the massive blaze: fireworks.

"CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the cause of the #PalmerFire to be human caused/fireworks," the Riverside County Fire Department tweeted late Saturday.

Fire officials said mandatory evacuations are in place on Live Oak Canyon Road, between San Timoteo Road and Interstate 10. Those evacuation orders affect 100 homes on the Riverside County side and 9 homes on the Redlands City side, according to Cal Fire. In total, nearly 450 residents are affected by the order.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Redlands Community Center located at 111 Lugonia Avenue in Redlands. For large and small animals, an evacuation center has been set up at Yucaipa Equestrian Center

At least 435 firefighters are on scene along with various other assets. An excessive heat warning is in effect for Beaumont Saturday and the high is forecast to be 93 degrees.

The California Highway Patrol said flames were "moving fast" and closed the eastbound lanes of San Timoteo Canyon Road at Live Oak, along the evacuation area.

The blaze, dubbed the Palmer Fire, was being fueled by high temperatures and gusts blowing at up to 35 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Patch will update this breaking news story.

Main image courtesy John McCullough; Image 2 courtesy: Matthew Dopp, Image 3 courtesy: Patch reader Bobby Titus

Have photos of the fire? Send them to renee.schiavone@patch.com

— With reporting by Feroze Dhanoa and Renee Schiavone