Firefighters Sunday had 15 percent containment of a large, fast-moving, 3,300-acre brush fire that started west of Calimesa and triggered mandatory evacuations in Riverside County and neighboring Redlands.
About 275 firefighters assisted by water-dropping helicopters and bulldozers were working on the fireworks-caused blaze near San Timoteo Canyon Road and Fishernan's Retreat.
When the fire was reported at 1:33 p.m. Saturday, it had charred about 50 acres and was burning at a moderate rate, Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department said.
At 10:52 p.m., it was reported the fire had blackened about 3,200 acres, she said.
Residents living on Live Oak Canyon Road between San Timoteo Canyon Road and Interstate 10 in Redlands were ordered to evacuate at 3:30 p.m., Hagemann said.
With 100 homes evacuated on the Riverside County side and nine in Redlands, a total of 450 residents were evacuated, she said.
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The California Highway Patrol said flames were "moving fast" and closed the eastbound lanes of San Timoteo Canyon Road at Live Oak, along the evacuation area.
The blaze, dubbed the Palmer Fire, was being fueled by high temperatures and wind gusts blowing at up to 35 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
An evacuation center was set up for residents displaced by the fire at the Redlands Community Center at 111 West Lugonia Ave. A large and small animal evacuation center was set up at the Yucaipa Equestrian Center, 13273 California St. at G Street.
The road closures and evacuations ordered Saturday were still in effect around 7 a.m. Sunday.
