Sanderson Fire Burns 1,933 Acres; 10% Containment

BEAUMONT, CA — A fast-burning wildfire, which sparked early Sunday near Beaumont, had burned more than 1,500 acres by mid-morning. Firefighters were able to halt forward progress of the fire by the afternoon, lifting evacuation warnings for the Moreno Knolls area.

The smoky blaze, dubbed the "Sanderson Fire," was 10 percent contained by Sunday afternoon, according to Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire broke out around 1 a.m. near La Borde Canyon Road and Jack Rabbit Trail, south of Beaumont, fire officials said.

An evacuation warning was issued after 9 a.m. for homes north of Gilman Springs and South of Timothy Lane, including Jerry Street McGehee Drive, Alberta Lane, Laurene Lane, Lisa Lane and Kevin Road.

Officials also closed Gilman Springs Road between Alessandro Boulevard and Bridge Street.

Less than a dozen homes were under the evacuation warning, Cal Fire said.

The fire sent smoke billowing over Anaheim, Fullerton and Brea, but officials confirm that there is no wildfire burning in Orange County.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory through Monday afternoon, warning that smoke from the fire was negatively affecting air quality and was moving west toward Moreno Valley, Temescal Valley, Corona, Chino Valley and Anaheim.

The fire expanded rapidly and was hard for fire crews to reach "due to its location deep into rugged terrain," and blustery weather, expanding from 300 to 900 acres Sunday morning, Cal Fire said.

Video from the #SandersonFIRE updates on our website https://t.co/vPT4oT2Oby : CAL FIRE/RVC FIRE pic.twitter.com/4QiZluDmT3
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) December 13, 2020

Multiple agencies were responding to the effort, with air support and 130 firefighters battling the smoky blaze.

This is a developing story, refresh this page for updates.

CAL FIRE Copter working the #SandersonFIRE south of Beaumont. For updates visit https://t.co/vPT4oT2Oby :CAL FIRE/RVC FIRE pic.twitter.com/2XYPkcwyDP
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) December 13, 2020

The City News Service contributed to this report.