All evacuations lifted after Palmer Fire burns 3,800 acres

The Palmer Fire in Beaumont continues has burned 3,300 acres since it sparked Saturday around 1:30 p.m. It’s 15 percent contained.

News Channel 3’s Lauren Coronado spoke with people impacted by the fire, including Ray Clark who was hosting a wedding.

“We’re thankful there wasn’t 150 people sitting right here on the lawn when the fire engulfed,” Clark said.

The Clark family had just finished setting up for a wedding when they saw the flames rushing toward their home.

More than 150 guests were set to celebrate, but had to turn around, and go home, when hills near San Timoteo Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road caught fire Saturday

“In 10 minutes, I couldn’t even see this house. It was completely under smoke. Then the sheriff’s department drove up and told us to evacuate and get out,” Clark said.

The groom-to-be, Joshua Clark, had to clean up after his wedding that hadn’t even started.

“We had already set up. I came out in my suite. We pulled all the cushions in. We brought the linens in. We left the tables and chairs up. Anything else that could catch fire, we brought in,” the younger Clark said.

Officials determined fireworks were the cause of the fire. Capt. Lucas Spelman with Cal fire/Riverside County Fire says it was initially a fast burning blaze that forced more than 450 people out of their homes. Fire crews aggressively worked to contain it as high winds intervened.

Around 12:30 Sunday, the fire jumped Timoteo Canyon Road. Vet techs were standing by to evacuate animals.

“We’re helping with Eastside Ranch. Their ranch got hit. We got the truck and trailer and got it loaded,” said Ashley Lockwood, a vet tech.

As for the Clark family, the newly weds said their “I Dos” Sunday night.

An evacuation center has been established at Redlands Community Center located at 111 Lugonia Avenue. A large and small animal evacuation center is located at the Yucaipa Equestrian Center at 13273 California Street and G Street in Yucaipa.