Lakeview: Rabbit Fire burns over 8,200 acres of brush; near full containment
The Rabbit Fire in Lakeview was near full containment July 22 after burning 8,283 acres since it broke out a little over a week
ago, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.
The fire was 98% contained as of Friday night, and that figure did not change when officials issued their Saturday morning update.
Firefighters worked amid excessive heat Friday to continue completing containment lines and conduct suppression repairs, according to the department.
Minimal activity was observed overnight, and an excessive heat warning was in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday.
Full containment was expected Sunday, according to the department. All evacuation warnings were lifted as of noon Wednesday.
The Rabbit Fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 14. As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, it was 5% contained with evacuation orders back in place late Saturday morning for the area north of Gilman Springs Road
A man was burned at the location, according to officials. Reports indicated he may have been in or near a vehicle that caught fire.
The victim was taken to Riverside University Health System-Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.
Additional road closures were in place for Highway 79 in the Lambs Canyon area from Gilman Springs Road to California Avenue.
Firefighters said Friday, the day it broke out, that the fire was burning at a rapid rate of speed and quickly jumped from 20 acres to 600 acres. The fast-moving fire jumped to 1,500 acres at 7 p.m. and was at 2,815 acres by 7:20 p.m. Friday. The fire experienced a massive jump on Saturday, fueled by the excessive heat growing to 7,600 acres. Then finally one week later, growing to 8.283 acres.
A total of 184 fire engines, 20 water tenders, seven helicopters and30 hand crews were involved in the firefighting effort at one point, numbering 1,578 total personnel, according to Cal Fire Riverside. Additional air tankers were flying in from throughout the state.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.