Hemet Wildland Fire Kills 2, Destroys Several Structures, and Prompts Evacuations

Hemet, Riverside County, CA: A fast moving wildland fire that erupted in Hemet killed two people, destroyed several structures and prompted evacuations.

Cal Fire/ Riverside County firefighters responded to reports of a wildland fire on Monday, Sept. 5, around 3:37 p.m. at Bautista Road and Fairview Avenue in the unincorporated county area of Hemet. By 4:23 p.m. Monday, the size of the fire was 20 acres and was battled by Cal Fire Riverside Unit at that time.

At 7:46 p.m., Riverside County Fire reported seven structures destroyed and several had been damaged. Two civilians had perished in the fire and one was transported with burn injuries by ambulance.

Water drops continued through Monday night as seen in Key News Network video from the scene of the fire.

Evacuation warnings were expanded as the fire increased in size over the hours on Monday. The existing warnings stayed in place through Tuesday, Sept. 6, along with new orders at 4:45 p.m. for Thomas Mountain Ridge South to Cactus Valley to Bautista Cyn to forest boundary.

At 6:07 p.m., Cal Fire reported the fire at 4500 acres and 5% contained with a unified command with Hemet Fire Department. An evacuation center is listed as Tahquitz High School, 4425 Tital Trail, Hemet, CA 92545.

All evacuation orders and warnings remain in place at this time.

Video: Eric Lentz, Photojournalist / KNN