The Riverside County Fire Department reported late Thursday that the blaze had grown to 27,319 acres and remained 5 percent contained, despite an intense response from firefighters trying to slow the blaze’s advance. The fire’s size was listed at 19,377 acres as of 7 a.m. Thursday by fire officials — meaning the fire had tripled in size in the previous 24 hours. The two victims killed in the fire have not been identified, but Riverside County firefighters believe they were trying to escape the flames in that canyon. Their bodies were found in a burned-out car and authorities believe they were related. “This area is one way, one way. So if you don’t leave in time or if you’re trapped by the fire, there’s no other way to go,” said Cal Fire’s Richard Cordova. A third person, also believed to be related to the other victims, was treated for burns and is expected to survive. The causes of the fire are being investigated. In a document filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, Southern California Edison reported “circuit activity” in the area near the time the fire broke out. Evacuations were ordered for thousands of homes in the area. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Cal Fire announced that the area east of De Portola Road, west of Sage Road, north of East Benton Road and south of Diamond Valley Road was under mandatory evacuation. Around the same time, a new evacuation warning was posted south of Rawson Road, east of Washington Street and Anza Road, west of Highway 74 and north of highways 79 and 371, where residents were advised to be ready to evacuate if conditions change for the worst. Fire officials also announced a new evacuation order for the area west of the 74 Freeway, north of the 317, east of Springbrook Road and south of the US Forest Service boundary. Mandatory evacuations remained in effect for residents south of Cactus Valley Road, north of Minto Way, north of Red Mountain Road, west of the US Forest Service boundary and east of Sage, west of Wilson Way, south of Highway 74, east of Fairview Avenue , north of Stetson Avenue, south of Minto, south of Red Mountain, west and north of Stanley Road, and east of Sage. Other evacuation warnings were in effect for those living west of Reed Valley Road and west of USFS boundaries, south of Stanley and north of Wilson Valley Road. Highway 74 in the San Bernardino National Forest was completely closed between Mountain Center and Borco Road, located in Valle Vista. Officials also issued a boil water notice for residents in the fire-hit areas in east Hemet. These residents are advised to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking as safety precautions. A care center for evacuees has been established at Tahquitz High School, 4425 Titan Trail in Hemet. The Hemet Unified School District said schools will remain closed until further notice due to the fire. City News Service contributed to this report. Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
