Evacuation Order Downgraded To Warning For Some Near Rabbit Fire

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An evacuation order was downgraded mid-day Sunday to a warning for part of the area affected by the Rabbit Fire, according to authorities.

Evacuation orders to south of East 1st Street, east of Highway 79/Lamb Canyon, north of Seneca Springs and west of Manzanita Park Road were downgraded to evacuation warnings around noon Sunday.

Areas placed under an evacuation order as of mid-day Sunday included northeast of Gilman Springs Road, east of Jack Rabbit Trail, west of California Avenue, and west of Beaumont Avenue.

The fire had consumed 7,600 acres and was only 10 percent contained as of around 7 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.

Full containment was not expected until Wednesday, and 152 structures were threatened, according to an update Sunday morning from the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. More than 800 emergency personnel had responded to the fire as of Sunday.

"The Rabbit Fire remained active overnight, burning in tall grass and brush," the update said.

"Fire crews will continue building containment lines around the fire throughout the day. Extreme heat is forecasted for the next operational period. High temperatures, steep terrain and difficult access continue to hamper fire suppression efforts."

A man was burned Friday, according to officials. Reports indicated he may have been in or near a vehicle that caught fire. The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to Riverside University Health System-Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.

No additional injuries have been reported.

“It’s just an inferno," Axel Sanchez, who works at Mr. Taco in Beaumont, told the Los Angeles Times. "Ash is raining down, and people are coming in here covered in ash.”

The cause of the brusher remains unknown.

The fire was initially reported Friday afternoon near the intersection of Alessandro Boulevard and Jack Rabbit Trail in the unincorporated community of Lakeview.

For an interactive map, click here.

For a time-lapse video, check out Banning-Beaumont Patch's Facebook.

Fire crews battled the large vegetation fire Friday night into Saturday as flames scorched thousands of acres in the area, prompting an evacuation for dozens of homes.

An evacuation warning was issued for the area north and west of Highway 79/Lambs Canyon, south of First Street and east of California Avenue, officials said.

Beaumont High School, 39139 Cherry Valley Blvd., has been established as an evacuation center.

Animal services will be at Beaumont High School to receive small animals. Large animals can go to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, 581 South Grand Ave. in San Jacinto. Anyone needing assistance with animal evacuations can call 951-358-7387.

Road closures in place included Gilman Springs Road from Alessandro Boulevard to Highway 79 and Bridge Street from Gilman Springs to the Ramona Expressway. Additionally, Highway 79 from Gilman Springs to California Avenue was closed, the fire department reported.

Officials also closed Lamb Canyon Landfill on Saturday.

Motorists should avoid the areas and keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles. Contact CHP or CalTrans for alternative routes.

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City News Service contributed to this report.