Imperial County helps assist Rabbit fire in Riverside

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Fire Engines from El Centro, Holtville, Calipatria, and Centinila State Prison Engine headed north to Riverside County to help assist with the Rabbit fire. Including the Yuma Fire Department.

The fire began on Friday, July 14, and burned over 75 hundred acres over the weekend. 

Task Forces were called in on Saturday, July 15, and have their base located just 25 miles from the Rabbit Fire.

“At the time, there was four different fires here in the area and the rabbit fire being the biggest one, the other three we were able to keep a minimal and I don't know exact numbers but they were able to keep it to a minimal size fire but the rabbit fire just kept spreading because of the terrain,” said Fire Chief Alex Silva from the Holtville Fire Department. 

The task force was able to contain fires that were near residential areas, according to Silva. 

With high temperatures, the fire departments encountered serious heat conditions this weekend that made it a serious challenge for them when putting out fires.  

“110 degrees during the day yesterday and then plus the heat from the fire it made it very brutal and then you have terrain which you actually have to climb some mountainsides and with the heat terrain and the fire it was really hard on the guys,” explained Silva. 

All engines are still currently in Riverside assisting in the fire.