Investigators Seek 'San Tim' Fire Cause, Horse Ranchers Grateful to Firefighters

Cal Fire investigators worked with colored flags Wednesday afternoon near a possible point of origin for the 'San Tim' Fire, which scorched about 50 acres near horse ranches and farms in San Timoteo Canyon west of Beaumont.

About 5:30 p.m., multiple engine crews were gathered at a horse and goat ranch called Serafin Farms, south of San Timoteo Canyon Road.

"I was working in San Diego when I heard about the fire," said owner Serafin Delgadillo, 52. "We have horses, cows, goats and chickens here, more than a hundred animals. It's seven and a half acres.

"I don't see anything of the fire, I got here just a few minutes ago," Delgadillo said. "I am glad they put the fire out. All appears to be ok now."

Three investigators in blue Cal Fire uniforms worked nearby in a blackened corral at the base of a hill, examining burned dirt, pieces of wood and a fence line.

A black hillside loomed further south in the distance, with whiffs of smoke curling from a few hot spots.

Fire commanders hoped to have the fire completely contained by 10 p.m., Capt. Mike Smith of Cal Fire-Riverside County said.

The estimated 50-acre burned area fire was considered 70 percent contained as of 5:20 p.m., according to Cal Fire. San Timoteo Canyon Road was re-opened before 6 p.m.

Update 5:05 p.m. The fire south of San Timoteo Canyon Road and west of Calimesa was estimated at 50 acres and 65 percent contained as of 5 p.m., Capt. Mike Smith of Cal Fire-Riverside County said at the scene.

About 250 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, which commanders hoped to have fully contained by 10 p.m., Smith said.

There was a threat to at least one structure earlier Wednesday afternoon on a section of the fire, which was negated as firefighters got a handle on that edge of the fire, Smith said.

Helicopter pilots dropping water on the fire had to contend with power lines as they tried to keep the fire from burning near a group of power line towers on top of a ridge south of San Timoteo Canyon Road.

Update 4:45 p.m. Cal Fire reports the forward rate of spread of the fire in San Timoteo Canyon has stopped and the fire is now approximately 25 acres.

Conditions near the fire include 97-degree air temperature; west winds at 9 miles per hour gusting to 18 mph, and 11 percent humidity, according to Cal Fire.

Posted 3:30 p.m. Two helicopters and more than 160 firefighters responded to a fire Wednesday afternoon in San Timoteo Canyon west of Calimesa, according to Cal Fire.

The California Highway Patrol reported San Timoteo Canyon Road was shut down between Redlands Boulevard and Live Oak Canyon Road.

Just after 3 p.m., the CHP stated "Residents who live within the closure are allowed in."

The fire was reported at 1:58 p.m. in the area of 28591 San Timoteo Canyon Road, northwest of the junction with Redlands Boulevard, Cal Fire-Riverside County spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson said.

"The incident commander reported 10 acres burning at a moderate rate of spread," Hendrickson said in a statement.

Responding agencies included Cal Fire-Riverside County, the CHP, March Air Reserve Base, City of Riverside Fire, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and Union Pacific Railroad, Hendrickson said.