Deadly Sandalwood Fire claims 2nd victim
First responders continue to be on scene at Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park. According to Cal Fire officials, 1,011 acres have been burned and is 68% contained.
Firefighters were hopeful about making progress as weather conditions improved.
UPDATE:
Cal Fire ha provided the following updates for evacuated residents and for residents returning to their homes:
– #SandalwoodFire As of 1 p.m. October 12th, evacuations have been lifted for THE AREA NORTH OF the Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park only.
– #SandalwoodFire Residents must use County Line Rd to return home. There is currently a road closure on 7th Street between Villa Calimesa Rd and Sandalwood Dr. This area is closed.
– #SandalwoodFire Gas service is currently interrupted for the South Mesa Mobile Home Park. For questions regarding gas restoration, please call 800-427-2200. Please be patient while SoCal Gas quickly and safely reaches each home. If you smell gas, call 9-1-1.
– #SandalwoodFire Residents are urged to use caution returning home as For more information, contact (951) 940-6985 or go to http://rvcfire.org/Pages/default.aspx.
INITIAL REPORT:
A second person has been found dead in a Calimesa mobile home park after a raging wildfire destroyed several homes in the park on Thursday.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department they discovered the additional human remains Friday evening, during a search of one of the mobile homes at the park. The ID of the 2nd victim is still under investigation. Another victim has now been positively identified by the Coroner’s Office as Lois Arvikson, 89-year-old resident of Calimesa.
Meanwhile, firefighters continue to work hot spots in the 823 acre Sandalwood Fire, but say the fire is now 25 percent contained.
“We have a lot of the perimeter of the fire still with hot embers still a lot of mop-up to do so the deployment of the nightshift of crews has been set out. A lot of boots on the ground still 220 firefighters actively working the fire,” said Herrera in an interview Thursday night.
The fire has completely destroyed at least 74 structures. Evacuees remain at Mesa Grande Academy and animals are at the San Jacinto Animal Campus.
Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.
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