A firefighting aircraft drops water loads at night to combat a fast-moving wildfire that broke out on September 5 in Hemet, Southern California.

Two people died in the huge blaze and another was brought to the hospital with serious injuries.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that as of Tuesday evening (September 6), 4,000 acres have been burned and the fire is only 5% contained.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters responded to reports of a wildland fire at Bautista Road and Fairview Avenue in the unincorporated county area of Hemet. The fire is currently 500 acres, burning in medium fuels and at a rapid rate of spread. An evacuation ORDER is in place for all of the residences South of Thornton Avenue, North of Polly Butte Road, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street. View interactive map here: https://tinyurl.com/FairviewFireMap

UPDATE 6:44 P.M. - The evacuation ORDER area has been expanded. The new boundaries are: South of Stetson Avenue, North of Cactus Valley, West of Fairview Avenue, East of State Street. View interactive map here: https://tinyurl.com/FairviewFireMap

A care and reception site has been established at Tahquitz High School: 4425 Titan Trail, Hemet.

UPDATE 7:46 P.M. - The fire is 700 acres and 5% contained. Seven structures have been destroyed and several have been damaged. Two civilians perished in the fire and one was transported with burn injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

UPDATE 9:56 P.M - The fire is 2,000 acres and 5% contained.

UPDATE 11:52 P.M. - Evacuation Warning: Bautista Canyon Road, south of Stetson Road, north of the Two Streams trailhead.

UPDATE 9/6/22 6:27 A.M. - The fire is 2,400 acres and 5% contained. The evacuation orders and warning remain in place.

UPDATE 9/6/22 3:00 P.M. - The fire is 4,000 acres and 5% contained The evacuation orders remain in place.

Update 9/6/22 4:45 pm - -NEW EVACUATION ORDERS: Thomas Mountain Ridge South to Cactus Valley to Bautista Cyn to forest boundary.

NEW EVACUATION WARNINGS: South of Hwy 74 to Thomas Mtn. W of Mountain Center N of Cactus Vly. Anza N of Hwy 371 to Forestry Boundary.

Update 9/6/22 5:00p.m. - The fire is 4,500 acres and 5% contained. All Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in place.