The Fairview fire has now charred more than 9,000 acres in the two days it’s been burning in Southern California, according to Cal Fire.   

  The fire, which has spread to 9,846 acres and is 5 percent contained, has shown no signs of slowing down.   

  “The fire is burning in all directions, on all sides,” Cal Fire Chief Josh Janssen said during a press conference Wednesday morning.   

  “Because of the fire footprint, the fire was moving quickly onto federal land and the decision was made to join with our federal partners so we can collectively make the right decisions for both the public and citizens in the area,” he said. Janssen.   

  This fast-growing wildfire comes as California and many West Coast states are reeling from a brutal heat wave, which is setting record high temperatures, sparking devastating wildfires and threatening power outages in California.  The heat wave could last even longer due to the effects of a powerful hurricane along Mexico’s Pacific coast.   

  The circuit activity occurred “close to the time” the deadly Fairview fire started, Southern California Edison said in a filing Monday, but the company said it “does not admit that its equipment caused the fire.”   

  Another document filed in coordination with the report added that the notice is intended to notify the California Public Utilities Commission of the incident so the agency can conduct an investigation.   

  As a result of the Fairview fire, Riverside County has declared a local state of emergency.  The proclamation must be brought before the board of supervisors within seven days to be officially approved, according to the county’s website.  The next board meeting is on Tuesday.   

  “The emergency declaration could help make the county eligible for possible federal and state aid and cost reimbursement.  In addition, the proclamation allows the county to more easily procure necessary services and supplies to respond to the emergency,” the county website said.   

  The fire also left evacuation orders and warnings in effect.  Schools in the Hemet Unified School District are closed until further notice.   

  Two people were killed in the fast-moving Fairview wildfire that blew up quickly over dry vegetation.  Sgt.  Brandi Swan with the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday that the two people were family members.   

  “It appears the two victims found in the vehicle were trying to escape the fire,” Swan said, adding that the victims have not been identified.   

  A third woman, also a relative of the other victims, was found outside the vehicle, he said.   

  “He suffered some serious injuries and is recovering in hospital,” Swann said.  “Whenever there is a loss, we feel it, always.  It’s sad to think that the fire moved so quickly that they weren’t able to get away.”