Rabbit fire still raging near Beaumont, spans 7,600 acres as containment efforts escalate

Firefighters battle 7,600-acre Rabbit Fire in Riverside County, California.

Firefighters are currently engaged in a relentless battle against a massive fire that has consumed approximately 7,600 acres near Beaumont in Riverside County. The Rabbit Fire, which first erupted on Friday, spread rapidly through the Lakeview community, growing from 20 acres to a staggering 600 acres in a short period of time. By Saturday, fueled by the intense heat, the fire had expanded to its current size.

The fire is located in the vicinity of Jack Rabbit Trail and Gilman Springs Road, where it continues to burn through tall grass and brush. Despite efforts to contain it, the fire remains active and has only been contained to 10 percent. Fire crews are working tirelessly to construct containment lines around the fire. However, their progress is impeded by the combination of scorching temperatures, challenging terrain, and limited access to the area.

Authorities have reported that approximately 152 structures are currently threatened by the fire. Thankfully, no structures have been damaged or destroyed thus far. In order to ensure the safety of residents, evacuation orders remain in effect for areas east of Jack Rabbit Trail and west of California Avenue. However, some evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation warnings for certain areas, including south of East 1st Street, east of Highway 79/Lamb Canyon, north of Seneca Springs, and west of Manzanita Park Road.

As a precautionary measure, several streets have been closed due to the fire. These include Highway 79 (Lambs Canyon) from Gilman Springs to California Avenue, Gilman Springs from Allessandro Boulevard to Highway 79, and Bridge Street from Gilman Springs Road to Ramona Expressway.

For those in need of assistance, an evacuation center has been established at Beaumont High School on Cherry Valley Boulevard in Beaumont. Animal Services will also be present at the center to accommodate small animals. Those with large animals can take them to the San Jacinto Animal Shelter on South Grand Avenue in San Jacinto. For animal evacuations, individuals can contact the Riverside County Department of Animal Services at (951) 358-7387.

The firefighters and emergency personnel involved in combating this fire are facing numerous challenges, including extreme heat and difficult terrain. However, their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property are unwavering. The community remains hopeful that their efforts will soon lead to the containment and extinguishment of the Rabbit Fire, bringing relief to all those affected.

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