Fairview Fire: Deadly Southern California blaze grows to nearly 20,000 acres
HEMET, Calif. – Southern California’s deadly Fairview Fire continued to spread rapidly on Wednesday, growing from 5,000 acres in the morning to nearly 20,000 acres by 10:30 p.m., authorities said.
According to KCBS-TV, the Riverside County Fire Department and Cal Fire said the blaze, which erupted Monday afternoon near Hemet, has killed two people and left another person with serious burn wounds. As of late Wednesday, the fire had consumed 19,377 acres with 5% containment, the agencies said.
Fairview Fire: Photos capture destruction as deadly California blaze forces evacuations
Although officials have visited more than 3,700 homes to ask residents to evacuate, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said just “a quarter” of the people have left, according to KTLA.
So far, the fire has destroyed seven structures and is threatening another 5,000 structures, KCBS reported.
Although authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze, power company Southern California Edison said in a statement that “circuit activity occurred” around the time that the fire broke out, according to the news outlet.
A firefighting aircraft drops fire retardant as the Fairview Fire burns near hillside homes on September 6, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A firefighter works at a back burn during the Fairview Fire on September 7, 2022, near Hemet, California.
Firefighters work at a back burn during the Fairview Fire on September 7, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A firefighter works at a back burn during the Fairview Fire on September 7, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Fairview Fire burns on September 7, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A firefighter works at a back burn during the Fairview Fire on September 7, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A firefighting aircraft drops fire retardant as the Fairview Fire burns near hillside homes on September 6, 2022, near Hemet, California.
A property burns as the Fairview Fire rages amid an intense heat wave on September 5, 2022, in Riverside County, California.
A property burns as the Fairview Fire rages amid an intense heat wave on September 5, 2022, in Riverside County, California.
A vehicle burns as the Fairview Fire rages amid an intense heat wave on September 5, 2022, in Riverside County, California.
A property burns as the Fairview Fire rages amid an intense heat wave on September 5, 2022, in Riverside County, California.
Vehicles burn as the Fairview Fire rages amid an intense heat wave on September 5, 2022, in Riverside County, California.
The Fairview Fire burns above a structure on September 5, 2022, near Hemet, California. The 2,000-acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California.
Firefighters from California Conservation Corps return to their vehicle while working the Fairview Fire on September 5, 2022, near Hemet, California. The 2,000-acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California.
Firefighters from California Conservation Corps prepare to set out in their vehicle while working the Fairview Fire on September 5, 2022, near Hemet, California. The 2,000-acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California.
Firefighters from California Conservation Corps return to their vehicle while working the Fairview Fire on September 5, 2022, near Hemet, California. The 2,000-acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California.
The Fairview Fire burns above lights from first responder vehicles on September 5, 2022, near Hemet, California. The 2,000-acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California.
