Fairview Fire now 94% contained; all evacuation orders and warnings lifted

Firefighters continue to make up ground on the Fairview Fire burning in Hemet that has gone through 28,307 acres.

The fire is now 94% contained, according to Cal Fire Riverside County Fire Department. Cal Fire expects the Fairview Fire to be fully contained by Saturday.

Firefighters got a lot of help this past weekend from all the rain that showered Southern California thanks to Tropical Storm Kay.

Containment against the Fairview Fire went from 5% containment last Friday night to more than 40% containment by Saturday Sept. 10.

Cal Fire said that an overnight marine layer with patches of rain jumpstarted fire crews' attack against what is left of the Fairview Fire.

A total of 22 structures were destroyed by the fire since it started on Sept. 5. The cause of the fire is unknown at this moment.

Thanks to some Tuesday evening showers and continued attacks from firefighters on the ground and in the sky, crews have announced that all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, and all people displaced by the fire are able to return home. 

The Fairview Fire is now said to be 69% contained on its ninth day since ignition on Labor Day. 

Almost all evacuation orders and warnings around the Fairview Fire perimeter have been lifted. 

According to Cal Fire officials, all areas inside the fire perimeter remain under a warning. However, all residents living in areas around the fire perimeter can return home. 

The Fairview Fire is now 62% contained, with full containment expected on Sept. 17, according to firefighters.

The Fairview Fire is now 62% contained, with full containment expected on Sept. 17, according to firefighters. 

Some residents near the Fairview Fire can return to their homes after firefighters get a handle on the once-rapidly moving blaze. 

Evacuation warnings have been lifted for these areas: 

• West of Mountain Center
• South of Hwy 74
• East of Fairview Avenue
• South of Stetson Avenue 
• East of State Street
• North of Cactus Valley Road, to the fire perimeter
• West of Sage Road
• North of E. Benton Road
• East of De Portola Road
• South of Cactus Valley Road
  
• West of U.S. Forest Service boundary
• North of Wilson Valley Road 
• East of Sage Road 
• South of Stanley Road

Evacuation orders for several areas have been reduced to warnings:

• East of the Fire perimeter to the U.S. Forest Service boundary
•  West of the U.S. Forest Service boundary
• North of Stanley Rd
• East of Sage Rd
• South of Cactus Valley Rd 
• South of the Fire perimeter
  

As of Monday, September 12 at 11:07 a.m. the Fairview Fire is now 53% contained, firefighters reported. Full containment is expected by September 17. 

Cal Fire officials have reduced evacuation orders to warnings for several communities near the Fairview Fire. 

Effective immediately, there are evacuation warnings for residents living near: 

West of Wilson Way

South of Highway 74

East of Fairview 

North of the fire perimeter

Additionally, evacuation warnings have been lifted by Cal Fire for the following communities:

North of Highway 74

South of San Jacinto

East of Fairview

West of Wilson Way

North of Stetson 

East of Soboba Street

While firefighters continue to gain ground on the Fairview Fire, authorities have issued new evacuation orders for residents near these burned areas:

South of Cactus Valley Road

East of Sage Road

North Stanley Road to the Eastern Border of the Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness

North of the Southern border of the Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness Area

North of Tripps Flats

Northwest of Cottonwood Truck Trail 

West of Rouse Ridge to the burn area

East of Fairview Avenue

South of Hwy 74 to the burn area

After Tropical Storm Kay brought a good amount of rain overnight to the Southland, firefighters battling the Fairview Fire finally got some relief. 

Though the fire has burned 28,307 acres in Hemet so far, Cal Fire Riverside County Fire Department reports that the fire is currently 43% contained, signaling some advancement. 

Cal Fire reports that 17 structures have been destroyed by the fire so far. 

The battle against the Fairview Fire got more complicated for firefighters after a Cal Fire helicopter crashed at a residence while attempting to land at Banning Airport. 

The pilot and two firefighters were inside the Bell 206 helicopter when it crashed. Fortunately, all three suffered moderate injuries and were alert when first responders arrived, CBSLA's Laurie Perez reports.

No nearby structures were damaged by the helicopter crash. 

Cal Fire officials have reduced evacuation orders to warnings for several communities near the Fairview Fire. 

Effective immediately, there are evacuation warnings for residents living near: 

West of the US Forest Service boundary

North of Wilson Valley and Reed Valley Road

East of Sage Road and South of Stanley Road

West of Sage Road

North of East Benton Road

East of De Portola Road

South of Cactus Valley Road 

Larking Lane

Additionally, Cal Fire Riverside County Fire Department announced that it has lifted evacuation orders for residents living near: 

South of Diamond Valley Lake

East of Washington Street

North of Borel Road

East of Rancho California Road

East of Anza Road

North of Temecula Parkway (Highway 79)

Northwest of Highway 371

West of Highway 74

South of US Forest Service Boundary, including Ramona Indian Reservation and Olivet University  

The rain brought by the passing storm helped crews get a handle on the Fairview Fire. 

"[Due] to today's weather conditions we saw minimal growth and [decrease] activity in all areas of the fire. Crews are continuing to strengthen and improve control lines, while establishing new control [lines] where it is safe to do so," Cal Fire wrote in the latest incident update."

Even though it grew to 28,307 acres, firefighters were able to contain 40% of the blaze. The number of structures threatened decreased by nearly 50% dropping from 18,753 to 10,000. 

So far, 13 structures have been destroyed and four were damaged. 

Cal Fire officials have reduced evacuation orders to warnings for several communities near the Fairview Fire. 

Effective immediately, there are evacuation warnings for residents living: 

• South of Diamond Valley Lake
• East of Washington Street
  
• North of Borel Road
• East of Rancho California Road
• East of Anza Road.
• North of Temecula Pkwy (Hwy 79)
• Northwest of Hwy 371
• West of Hwy 74 
• South of US Forest Service Boundary
  
• In the Community of Ramona Village and Olivet University

Because of the strong winds fueled by Tropical Storm Kay, Cal Fire says they won't have firefighting aircraft in the air Friday. The wind, if not accompanied by rain, is feared to whip the Fairview Fire up even further.

Riverside County Fire Department confirmed to CBSLA Reporter Tena Ezzeddine on Friday that winds did in fact help the fire spread. 

The fire is now spreading west towards Temecula. 

With Tropical Storm Kay passing through the Southland Friday and through the weekend, the hope is that the rain expected to fall helps firefighters control or even knockdown the Fairview Fire.

The Eastern Municipal Water District, the county's Department of Environmental Health, and the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water have determined that the water is safe to drink and it is no longer necessary to boil tap water or consume bottled water.

Five school districts in and around the Fairview Fire say they will be closed Friday. They include:

• Temecula Valley Unified School District
• Romoland School District
• Menifee Unified School District
• Hemet Unified School District
• Perris Elementary School District
• Perris Union High School District

Riverside County Animal Services has set up Perris Fairgrounds, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, as an emergency shelter site for livestock and large animals owned by people under mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings. Livestock owners are being asked to use the Avalon Parkway entrance.

The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave. in Jacinto, remains opens for dogs, cats, and other small animals.

With the Fairview Fire moving south and east into the San Bernardino National Forest, forest officials are closing several areas and roads for public safety and to help firefighters.

Areas closed include:

• Bautista Canyon
• Rouse Ridge and Thomas Mountain areas
• South Fork of the San Jacinto River Wilderness Area
• Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness

Roads closed include:

• Bautista Canyon Road
• Forest Roads FS15 (Rouse Ridge)
• 6S13 (Thomas Mountain)
• 6S16
• 6S18 (Cottonwood Canyon)
• 6S22 (Cahuilla Mountain)

Also closed:

• Alessandro and Hixon OHV routes
• the South Fork hiking trail
• Ramona hiking trail
• Cahuilla Mountain hiking trail

The closures are in effect until at least Oct. 1.

Emergency officials are warning about the potentially dangerous effects heading to the area due to Hurricane Kay, which recently made landfall. 

"A forecasted storm with heavy rain and strong, sustained winds could cause flooding and other dangerous impacts countywide, including in recent burn areas such as the Fairview Fire," the release said.

Up to 7 inches of rain are expected to fall in parts of Riverside County, which could cause flash floods and potential mud and debris flow. The most susceptible areas include recent burn scars and the Coachella Valley. 

"Based on forecasts, this appears to be a dangerous storm. We want the public to prepare now," said Bruce Banon, Director of the Emergency Mangement Department in Riverside County. "If you encounter a road that's flooded, never try to walk or drive through it."

As a result, a Flood Watch is placed into effect throughout Riverside County from Friday morning to Saturday evening. A High Wind Warning was also placed into effect for the entirety of Friday, as winds are expected to reach gusts up to 55 miles per hour in the valleys, with some strong gusts reaching 75 miles per hour in desert and mountain regions. 

The latest update from CalFire/Riverside County Fire Department maps the fire at 27,319 acres — a nearly 4,000 acre jump from the the update released at 6 p.m.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Riverside County due to the Fairview Fire, which is "threatening multiple communities and critical infrastructure, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents."

"Earlier this week, California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Fairview Fire," the statement said.

CalFire/Riverside County Fire Department extended additional evacuation orders at around 8:30 for:

• South of Diamond Valley Lake, East of Washington St., North of Borel Rd., East of Rancho California Rd, East of Anza Rd., North of Temecula Pkwy (Hwy79), Northwest of Hwy 371, and West of Springbrook Rd.
  

Fire officials provided an incident report on the expected overnight activity of the fire, which continues to rage at more than 23,000 acres. 

"The fire will continue to spread in all areas due to shifting winds ahead of Hurricane Kay's arrival," the statement said. "The fire will have very high potential to move to the west due to the strong 40+ mile per hour winds and possible extreme down slope winds coming off of the surrounding 10,000' peaks. Fire activity could be moderated in the evening when heavy rains come from the thunderstorms. This will however also bring lightning to the area."

During a community meeting held in Temecula earlier Thursday, officials advised that more than 22,000 residents of Temecula and the areas closest to the fire should be prepared to evacuate in the instance that the fire continues to move towards the city. 

"We have 48 to 72 hours of a hard fire fight in front of us," said Sal Reyes with the National Forest Service. 

The recent update also noted that 18,753 structures were threatened by the fire and 11 had been destroyed. 

In an update officials sent Thursday morning, 2,500 structures were threatened and zero were destroyed.

There are more than 2,100 firefighters involved in the fight, with 238 fire engines, 24 water tenders, 16 helicopters and a number of air tankers also coordinating attacks on the flames.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials released a statement to the public that warned of the potential impact that the looming Hurricane Kay may have on the fire. 

"The potential for extreme fire behavior remains elevated as hot conditions continue and southeast winds steadily increase throughout the day and into the evening Thursday with gusts of 25 miles per hour," the statement said. "In addition, tropical moisture from Hurricane Kay will bring periods of showers and thunderstorms to the area from Friday evening through Saturday evening. There is the potential for heavy rain capable of creating flooding problems, especially near the burn area."

The Fairview Fire has continued its rapid growth, with the large area mapped at 23,919 acres by FIRIS.

Fire officials have issued a number of new evacuation orders and warnings Thursday, all of which can be found on this interactive evacuation map. 

Thus far, evacuations have been ordered for structures located in the following areas:

• South of Thornton Avenue, North of Polly Butte Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street;
  
• South of Stetson, North of Cactus Valley Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street;
  
• Bautista Canyon Road, south of Stetson Road, north of the Two Streams trailhead;
  
• Thomas Mountain Ridge South to Cactus Valley to Bautista Cyn to forest boundary;
  
• South of Cactus Valley Road, North of Minto Way, North of Red Mountain Road, West of US Forest Service Boundary, East of Sage Road;
• West of Wilson Way, South of Highway 74, East of Fairview Road, North of Stetson;
• South of Minto Way, South of Red Mountain Road, West of Road and North of Stanley Road, East of Sage Road;
• East of De Portola Road, West of Sage Road, North of East Benton Road, and South of Diamond Valley Road;
• (MOST RECENT, as of 4:55 p.m.) West of Highway 74, North of 371, East of Springbrook Road and South of US Forest Service Boundary.

Several locations are also under evacuation warning as the fire remains just 5% contained.

Fire and law enforcement officials say they will give an update on the Fairview Fire at a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Riverside County Fire Dept. Station 96, 37700 Glen Oaks Road in Temecula. The meeting is open to the public, but will be standing room only and not air-conditioned. Members of the public are welcome to bring seats.

The Diamond Valley Lodge is desperate for help to protect the sanctuary, which is home to four tigers. Officials say the big cats are too spooked to be transported away from the fire, which is headed toward them.

Additionally, the Red Cross has opened a second shelter for those affected by the Fairview Fire at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Rd.

Additionally, several new evacuations orders have been issued Thursday for surrounding communities near the Fairview Fire.

All residents who live east of De Portola Road, west of Sage Road, north of East Benton Road and South of Diamond Valley Road are urged to evacuate their homes immediately as the fire continues to explode. 

An evacuation order was issued overnight for the following areas:

• South of Minto Road
• South of Red Mountain Road
• West of Stanley Road
• North of Stanley Road
• East of Sage Road

An evacuation warning was issued for these areas:

• East of Sage Road
• West of Reed Valley Road and West of the Forest Service boundary
• South of Stanley Road
• North of Wilson Valley Road
• East of De Portola Road
• West of Sage Road
• North of East Benton Road
• South of Diamond Valley Road

Firefighters have reported that the Fairview Fire has nearly doubled in size since their last update, now being measured at 19,377 acres and still just 5% containment. 

Riverside County authorities have issued additional evacuation orders for residents impacted by the Fairview Fire, calling for immediate evacuation at the following locations:

• West of Wilson Way, South of Highway 74, East of Fairview Avenue and North of Stetson

While evacuation warnings were also issued for the area:

• West of Fairview Avenue, South of Highway 74, North of Stetson and East of Soboba Street,
• East of Fairview Ave., North of HWY 74, South of San Jacinto River bed and East of Wilson Way. 

Highway 74 was fully closed from Mountain Center to Corco Street.

A full map of evacuation orders can be found here. 

The Fairview Fire has continued to grow in Hemet, now scorching 9,846 acres. The blaze remained just 5% contained at the latest report from Riverside County Fire Department. 

The Fairview Fire is at 7,000+ acres and is 5% contained, firefighters said. 

The Fairview Fire grew overnight to 5,000 acres and remains at 5% containment, according to Cal Fire Division Chief Josh Janssen. 

Meanwhile, the two people who were killed in the fire were found dead in a vehicle in the 42400 block of Avery Canyon Road in East Hemet, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Brandi Swan said. They have not been positively identified yet due to the condition they were found in.

The person who suffered severe burns was described as an adult female. She remains hospitalized, but is expected to survive. Her name will not be released, Swan said.

All three were in the same vehicle, authorities said.

Hemet Unified schools will remain closed through Wednesday and until further notice, Superintendent Dr. Christi Barrett said in a statement. She said they continue to work with local authorities to monitor and assess the situation.

"Our hope is that our students can return to school soon; however, the closure will continue until conditions improve," she said in an email to parents.

Authorities with the Riverside County Fire Department issued new evacuation warnings for South of Cactus Valley Road, East of Sage Road, North of Red Mountain Road. West of Bautista Canyon in Sage.

Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Cal Fire issued additional evacuation orders, as well as evacuation warnings:

Above a ranch on Bautista Road, where a couple cares for several dogs, thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising just over a nearby hill, forcing them to evacuate. 

The couple was able to gather eight of the golden retrievers and a bulldogs off of the property, as the ranch owner looked for another member of the pack, 5-year-old Aria, who jumped out of the truck and was still on the property as everyone was attempting to leave. 

Fortunately, the ranch owner was able to find Aria and evacuate her along with everyone else. 

Southern California Edison has notified the California Public Utilities Commission that "circuit activity' occurred at the approximate time that the Fairview Fire started.

"Our information reflects circuit activity occurred close in time to the report time of the fire. The investigation is ongoing," SoCal Edison's notification stated. 

It also noted that the incident location was Fairview Avenue and Bautista Road in Hemet, where, according to the Riverside County Fire Department, the fire was first reported just after 2 p.m.

SoCal Edison Media Relations Advisor Gabriela Ornelas released the following statement to CBSLA:

"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the Fairview Fire, especially those who have lost loved ones and suffered injuries. Yesterday, we submitted an initial Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on the Fairview Fire. The Fairview Fire was reported on Monday, September 5, 2022, at 3:37 p.m. in the Hemet area. Our information reflects circuit activity occurring close in time to the reported time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Cal Fire reports two confirmed fatalities and another serious injury. The fire has consumed over 2,000 acres as of 10 p.m. on Sept. 5 and news reports reflect some structures have been damaged or destroyed. With safety as our number one priority, we continue to make progress on our wildfire mitigation efforts through grid hardening, situational awareness and enhanced operational practices."

The Fairview Fire burning within the Eastern Municipal Water District's Service area has prompted a boil water notice issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, the Riverside County Public Health Department, and the EMWD. Residents of fire-impacted area in east Hemet should only use boiled tap water or boiled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution to avoid stomach or intestinal illness.

The notice impacts about 50 homes on Polly Butte Road and the area east of 41477 Gibbel Road.

According to the notice, residents should either use bottled water or allow water to boil for one minute before letting it cool, to be used for drinking or food preparation. If residents are unable to boil water, they can add 8 drops, or 1/8 of a teaspoon, of fresh, unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of clear water. A gallon of cloudy water will require 16 drops or 1/4 of a teaspoon of bleach. Mix the water thoroughly and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before using. Residents will be able to detect the disinfection has taken place when the water tastes and smells like chlorine.

Residents can also use water disinfection tablets.

According to CalFire's Chief Josh Janssen, the incident commander of the Fairview Fire, the two people who died were trying to flee the area.

"It appears right now that those individuals were attempting to flee the area and were overcome by the fire that made the run through the canyon," he said. "They were in the same area. Unknown right now if they were related or from the same household."

Riverside County Department of Animal Services is accepting the pets of households evacuated from the Fairview Fire at the care and reception center at Tahquitz High School, 4425 Titan Trial, in Hemet. Thirteen animals have been impounded and a pig was assisted at one home.

Sky9's Desmond Shaw was over the Fairview Fire in Hemet where an additional structure, in the 42400 block of Avery Canyon, was seen engulfed in flames. 

An estimated 1,500 homes have been evacuated so far. 

While aircrews have temporarily stopped fighting the Fairview Fire, ground crews remain on the scene. Officials with the Riverside County Fire Department estimated that 5,000 structures are currently threatened by the fire. 

Officials with the Riverside County Fire Department report that two civilians have died in the Fairview Fire, which has grown to 700 acres and is 5% contained. 

Another civilian was transported to the hospital with burn injuries. 

At least seven structures have been destroyed and several more damaged. 

The original evacuation orders, which have been not been lifted, included areas South of Thornton Avenue, North of Polly Butte Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street. Evacuation orders have also been expanded to include areas South of Stetson, North of Cactus Valley Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street.

A care and reception area for evacuees was established at Tahquitz High School, located at 4425 Titan Trail. 

Sky2's Desmond Shaw reports that fire crews were able to rescue several people who were trapped by the flames on Gibbel Road. 

Sky2's Desmond Shaw reports that additional aircraft is arriving on the scene of the Fairview Fire to drop retardant on flames that have already destroyed at least a half-dozen homes. 

Four water tankers fighting flames from the air in the Fairview Fire have been placed on "no divert" orders, meaning they cannot be taken off the fire due to the imminent threat to life and property.

Sky2's Desmond Shaw was over the scene of the Fairview Fire in Hemet when powerlines could be seen sparking in the extreme heat and flames over a burning structure. 

Sky2 was over the scene of the Fairview Fire where several structures have now been engulfed in flames. 

Sky2's Desmond Shaw was over the scene of the Fairview Fire in Hemet, as aircrews worked to create a break lines in order to protect lives and structures from the blaze. 

At least one civilian resident was transported to the hospital with first, second and third-degree burns to their arms, face and back.

Captain Richard Cordova, with the Riverside County Fire Department,  confirmed that the Fairview Fire has grown to some 500 acres, threatening the community of Hemet. 

Evacuations have been ordered for the foothills of Hemet Valley, South of Thornton Avenue, North of Polly Butte Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street.