The Rabbit Fire map still covers 7,600 acres, crews hope to contain the blaze by Wednesday

The Rabbit Fire, the largest of four wildfires burning in Riverside County amid the weekend's extreme heat, continued to burn but wasn't growing as of Sunday, fire officials said.

The fire near Beaumont, California ‒ about 30 miles west of Palm Springs – remained at 7,600 acres and was 25% contained, according to a Sunday update from CalFire. Officials said they expected to fully contain it by Wednesday.

Crews were working to create containment lines as 152 structures remained under threat. None had been damaged yet.

A map of where the Rabbit and Highland fires stood as of Sunday morning, July 16, 2023.
A map of where the Rabbit and Highland fires stood as of Sunday morning, July 16, 2023.

Evacuations remain in effect

Numerous evacuation orders or warnings remained in effect, as did closures on Highway 79 and other roads.

A total of 88 fire engines, seven water tenders and numerous air tankers were used to limit the spread of the fire.

“Our goal is to strengthen and improve our containment lines and get around the body of the fire, most notably up in the head of the fire where we have several housing communities,” Incident Commander and Division Chief Josh Janssen said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, as it was for the other three fires.

A firefighter monitors and sets a controlled burn as the Rabbit Fire scorched over 7,500 acres in Moreno Valley, Riverside County, Calif. on July 15, 2023.
A firefighter monitors and sets a controlled burn as the Rabbit Fire scorched over 7,500 acres in Moreno Valley, Riverside County, Calif. on July 15, 2023.

Work continues on Reche Fire

The Reche Fire, which erupted in a canyon north of Moreno Valley then burned 437 acres and destroyed at least one home, was 60% contained Sunday, according to CalFire.

All evacuations were lifted for the Reche Fire. That fire was reported at about 1 p.m. Friday in the area of Reche Canyon Road and High Country Drive, according to the fire department.

Highland Fire evacuation orders lifted

The Highland Fire, burning around the Beaumont-Banning area south of Interstate 10, was at 105 acres and 70% contained as of Sunday morning. All evacuations had been lifted.

The Highland Fire broke out around 3 p.m. Friday south of Interstate 10. Fire officials initially reported the blaze had consumed 225 acres, and evacuation orders and warnings were issued. But subsequent updates to mapping put the size of the fire at 105 acres.

There were no reports of any injuries or structure damage.

Gavilan Fire 50% contained

The Gavilan Fire, burning near the town of Perris, has been remapped from 250 to 338 acres and was 50% contained, according to an update Sunday from CalFire.

The fire was first reported at 3:28 p.m. Saturday on Gavilan Road, near Idaleona Road, in the Gavilan Hills area. Riverside County firefighters were on the scene, along with additional ground and air resources.

An evacuation-warning area and road closures remained in place as of Sunday morning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Rabbit Fire update: Riverside blaze did not grow from 7,600 acres