Day 2 of Rabbit Fire – Major Flames Close To Homes

LAKEVIEW (CNS) – 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 morning, the Rabbit Fire was estimated at 4,500 acres, with 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. An evacuation warning was issued north and west of Highway 79, south of First Street and east of California Avenue, according to the fire department.

It was not immediately clear how many people were affected by the evacuation orders and warnings.

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.

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