By Reginald Stanley. Posted September 7, 2022, 4:19 PM.

A brushfire which ignited southeast of Hemet on Labor Day continued to spread as of Wednesday, with seven structures destroyed and at least two people have perished.

Thick smoke resulting from the fire has sent thick smoke over much of the inland valleys and even reaching the coasts on both Tuesday and Wednesday. According to CalFire, the Fairview Fire has burned at least 7,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon and was burning "in all directions on all flanks", with containment stalled at five percent. The fire was reported to have started in a rural area southeast of Hemet, near the intersection of Fairview Avenue and Bautista Canyon Road. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Evacuation orders have been issued for areas south of California State Route 74 near Hemet, with an evacuation center being established at Tahquitz High School (4425 Tital Trail, Hemet, CA 92545). Detailed information regarding evacuation orders, fire containment, and maps can be found here at fire.ca.gov.