'Human-caused' brush fire in San Jacinto prompts evacuation warnings

An evacuation warning was in place Monday in the Poppet Flats area of San Jacinto as firefighters battled a 650-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.

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.

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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.

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