A massive brush fire in the Lakeview area continued spreading overnight, but while crews made some progress Saturday establishing a containment line around the blaze, new evacuations were ordered.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Rabbit Fire was estimated at 4,500 acres, with just 5% containment, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
An evacuation order was issued around 11:15 a.m. Saturday for the area north of Gilman Springs Road east of Jack Rabbit Trail, south of First Street and west of California Avenue and Highway 79.
As of Saturday at 3:40 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for the areas of north and west of Highway 79, south of First Street and east of California Avenue, according to the fire department. The area of north of County Landfill, east of Highway 79, south of East First Street and west of Manzanita Park Road was also issued an evacuation order.
The area of north of East First Street east of Jack Rabbit Trail, south of West Fourth Street and west of California Avenue was issued an evacuation warning along with the area of east of Manzanita Park Road, west of Highland Springs Road, south of East First Street and north of Forest Boundary Line.
It was not immediately clear how many people were affected by the evacuation orders and warnings.
Animal services for small animals were offered at Beaumont High School, at 39139 Cherry Valley Blvd. Large animals were being received at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter, at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.
The Rabbit Fire was reported about 3:25 p.m. Friday in the area of Jack Rabbit Trail and Alessandro Boulevard, just east of Mystic Lake and roughly halfway between Moreno Valley and San Jacinto, according to the fire department.
A man suffered burn injuries at the onset of the fire, with some reports indicating the person 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
California Highway Patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies diverted northbound vehicles away from Gilman Springs Road and onto Bridge Street, an officer said. Additional road closures were in place for Highway 79 in the Lambs Canyon area from Gilman Springs Road to California Avenue.