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A brush fire erupted in Riverside County Saturday afternoon and grew to 3,300 acres by Sunday morning. The Palmer Fire, as officials have dubbed it, has forced hundreds to evacuate their homes in the area. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection believes the blaze was started by fireworks.
CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the cause of the #PalmerFire to be human caused/fireworks.
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) September 3, 2017
The fire was initially reported at 1:33 p.m. and was estimated at 50 acres, according to ABC. It grew to 3,000 acres by Saturday evening, adding a few hundred more acres overnight. It is at 15% containment as of Sunday morning. At least 275 firefighters are on the scene.
Similarly to the La Tuna Canyon Fire, this fire is exacerbated by high winds and high temperatures, according to NBC. Fire officials say flames have been fast moving, and the California Highway Patrol has closed Redlands Boulevard south of San Timoteo Canyon Road.
#PalmerFire [update] off San Timoteo Canyon Road & Fisherman's Retreat (Riverside Co) is 3,300 acres & 15% contained https://t.co/J7q11s7Sca pic.twitter.com/M6rtCDDRY7
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 3, 2017
Can see flames on the ridge of San Timoteo Canyon. #PalmerFire pic.twitter.com/G4e3rw2LWb
— Kristen Hwang (@khwangreports) September 2, 2017