By Reginald Stanley. Posted August 4, 2020, 11:01 PM.

A wildfire that was first reported late on the afternoon of Friday, July 31st near Cherry Valley and Beaumont, has burned over 26,000 acres as of Tuesday evening. At least twelve structures have been destroyed in the blaze, and one injury as been reported.

The fire is burning into an area of wilderness where vegetation is more sparse, limiting fire intensity as of Tuesday. The fire was initially exacerbated by a short, but potent heat wave affecting the region. A thick, dense plume of smoke could be seen across much of the region on August 1st as the fire quickly spread. The return of onshore flow by Tuesday had pushed most of the smoke to the east, towards the deserts. According to Cal Fire, the fire was reported as being 20 percent contained as of 7 PM Tuesday evening. For more detailed information regarding the fire, including information and updates about evacuations, road closures and containment, visit Cal Fire's website.