Local Emergency Proclaimed By Riverside County Due To Fairview Fire

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The County of Riverside on Wednesday proclaimed a local emergency in response to the Fairview fire burning near Hemet. The blaze has scorched nearly 10,000 acres, left two people dead and destroyed structures.

The county's proclamation must go to the Board of Supervisors within seven days for ratification, which will take place during the regularly scheduled board meeting on Sept. 13, according to a county news release.

"The emergency proclamation could help make the county eligible for potential federal and state assistance and cost reimbursement. In addition, the proclamation allows the county to more easily procure needed services and items to respond to the emergency," the county news release read.

See the emergency proclamation signed by County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen here.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced early Tuesday that California has secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the blaze. The grant will enable local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75 percent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs, according to the state.

The Fairview fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. Monday on Fairview Avenue and Bautista Road. It has charred an estimated 9,846 acres, with containment holding at 5 percent, officials reported Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of personnel are battling the blaze from the ground and air.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place and more were issued Wednesday — see the areas here. An evacuation center is set up at Tahquitz High School at 4425 Titan Trail, Hemet. Officials said evacuees can bring their small animals to the center, where personnel will assist with evacuated pets.

The Department of Animal Services said the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus (581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto) is accepting large and small domestic creatures, including livestock, for safekeeping. All fees for retaining pets will be waived under a county emergency order, agency spokesman John Welsh said.

Animal control officers have been patrolling the evacuation zone to search for stranded animals, Welsh said.

A temporary flight restriction was established directly over the fire, barring civilian aircraft from coming within 5 miles of it. The Federal Aviation Administration was expected to widen the TFR as the fire spilled into the national forest.

Officials said the fire resulted in two civilian fatalities and one civilian burn injury. Sheriff's officials confirmed Wednesday the two deceased victims were found inside a vehicle in the 42400 block of Avery Canyon Road in eastern Hemet on Monday, apparently overcome by the flames while trying to flee the area. The two victims, who have not been identified, are believed to be related.

A woman, also believed to be related to the other victims, was found burned outside the vehicle. She was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, according to a sheriff's official.

At least seven buildings have been destroyed and several more were damaged.

According to Caltrans, numerous street closures are in effect.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. In a document filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, Southern California Edison reported "circuit activity" in the area close to the time the fire erupted.

—This report includes contributions from City News Service.