SAN JACINTO, CA — An evacuation warning was in place Monday in the Poppet Flats area of San Jacinto as firefighters battled a 517-acre brush fire that authorities believed was human-caused.

The fire was reported around 2:20 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Soboba and Gilman Springs roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

At the time of the initial report, the upslope-burning fire was estimated at five acres, but grew to 650 acres by 7:30 p.m., according to the fire department.

The fire was 15% contained by Monday morning, and later downgraded to 517 acres early Monday afternoon.

An evacuation warning was issued in parts of Poppet Flats north of Wolf Road, west of Partridge Street and Hungry Hollow Road, south of Old Idyllwild Road and east of Gubner, according to the fire department.

Multiple air and ground resources were on the scene.

Six firefighters were taken to a hospital with minor medical symptoms, the department said.

Officials did not say whether they believed the fire was accidentally or intentionally set.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert for increased fine particle pollution from the fire in the areas of Riverside, Palm Springs, Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Indio, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Idlyllwild-Pine Cove and the Coachella Valley.

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Officials with Cal Fire Riverside County said Soboba and Gilman Springs roads on Sunday around 2 p.m. The area is adjacent to the Golden Era Golf Course in the San Jacinto area. 

The fire, being called the “Record Fire,” had reached 517 acres with 65% containment as of Monday evening, officials with CAL Fire said. 

“Helicopters will actively support ground crews by conducting water drops to cool down hot spots and slow the fire’s spread. However, with extreme heat in the area, with temperatures expected to reach near 110°F, conditions remain challenging. The high temperatures and dry conditions will make firefighting efforts more difficult,” fire authorities said on social media. 

Amid the blazing temperatures, six firefighters were treated for what authorities described as “minor medical symptoms.” 

“Overnight, the fire exhibited minimal growth, allowing firefighters to make significant progress in increasing containment. Firefighters will continue to work throughout the day, strengthening containment lines and addressing any remaining hotspots,” fire authorities said in an update Monday morning. 

Evacuation Warning

Evacuation warnings were issued in the area earlier in the week, but had been lifted by Tuesday night.

“Please use caution when returning to the area as fire resources continue working to fully contain the fire,” CAL Fire said. 

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