A massive brush fire in the Lakeview area continued spreading overnight, but crews made some progress Saturday establishing a containment line around the blaze.
As of Saturday morning, the Rabbit Fire was estimated at 4,500 acres, with 5% containment, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The Rabbit Fire was reported about 3:25 p.m. Friday in the area of Jack Rabbit Trail and Allesandro 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
By 7:30 p.m. Friday, the fire had consumed more than 2,800 acres as the flames moved rapidly through open space.
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 closure were in place for Highway 79 in the Lambs Canyon area from Gilman Springs Road to California Avenue.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Friday, an evacuation order for approximately 25 homes north of Gilman Springs Road was issued. On Saturday morning, however, fire officials indicated there were no evacuation orders in place.