Rabbit Fire Update: 8,283 Acres Charred, 1 Person Severely Burned

BEAUMONT, CA — The Rabbit Fire in Lakeview was 55% contained Tuesday night after burning 8,283 acres, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported.

The fire had minimal activity overnight, with smoldering in heavy fuels, according to the fire department. On Tuesday, crews built containment lines and patrolled for hot spots amid extreme heat.

The blaze broke out around 3:30 p.m. Friday northeast of Gilman Springs Road and Jack Rabbit trail. Officials said 152 structures were threatened, but no structures have been destroyed or damaged.

A motorist whose car caught fire, starting the Rabbit Fire, was "severely burned" and remains hospitalized, Fire Chief Bill Weiser told the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The victim's identity has not been released.

An evacuation order was reduced to an evacuation warning Tuesday for an area east of Jack Rabbit Trail, north of Gilman Springs, south and west of First Street and west of Highway 79.

All previous evacuation warnings were lifted, according to Cal Fire Riverside.

North and Southbound Highway 79 from Gilman Springs to Beaumont Avenue re-opened Tuesday morning, as did the entrance to the Lamb Canyon Landfill, which reopened at noon Tuesday. All other roads remained open, but officials urged drivers to be cautious as firefighters were still out working on full containment and control of the fire.

An evacuation center closed Monday night. Those needing assistance were advised to call the Red Cross at 855-891-7325. Those needing assistance with animal evacuations were asked to call the Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.

A total of 184 fire engines, 20 water tenders, seven helicopters and 30 hand crews were involved in the firefighting effort, numbering 1,578 total personnel, according to Cal Fire Riverside. Additional air tankers were flying in from throughout the state.

Full containment was expected Friday, according to the fire department.

The Rabbit Fire was the largest of four brush fires that broke out Friday and Saturday across the county. The other three — the Reche, Highland and Gavilan fires — were fully or near-fully contained by Tuesday.