Crews had contained 30% of a 650-acre brush fire Monday evening in San Jacinto, which authorities believe was human-caused.
The fire was reported around 2:20 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Soboba and Gilman Springs roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
At the time of the initial report, the upslope-burning fire was estimated at five acres, but grew to 650 acres by 7:30 p.m., according to the fire department.
The fire was 15% contained by Monday morning, and temporarily downgraded to 517 acres in the afternoon.
An evacuation warning was lifted Monday evening, a day after it was issued in parts of Poppet Flats north of Wolf Road, west of Partridge Street and Hungry Hollow Road, south of Old Idyllwild Road and east of Gubner.
Multiple air and ground resources were on the scene, according to the fire department.
Six firefighters were taken to a hospital with minor medical symptoms, the department said.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert for increased fine particle pollution from the fire in the areas of Riverside, Palm Springs, Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Indio, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Idlyllwild-Pine Cove and the Coachella Valley.
The inaugural launch of Cal Fire’s Tanker 122 had delivered 8,000 gallons of retardant on this brush fire with it’s ”cutting-edge retardant delivery system,” according to Cal Fire.
Officials did not say whether they believed the fire was accidentally or intentionally set.
”Firefighters will remain on the scene overnight to ensure the fire stays within containment lines and to address any flare-ups,” the department noted in a statement.