Silver Fire full containment expected soon

CABAZON, Calif. (KABC) -- Full containment on the Silver Fire burning near Cabazon south of Banning was expected sometime Sunday, fire officials said.

As of 7 a.m. Sunday, the fire has burned 19,436 acres and was 75 percent contained.

The blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon and grew quickly. At one point, evacuations were ordered on 1,500 homes.

On Saturday, the evacuation order for the community of Twin Pines was lifted effective 9 p.m. Officials said residents must receive an access pass from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department checkpoint at Highway 243 and Poppet Flats Road.

Evacuations orders were lifted for communities of Snow Creek, Cabazon, Mt. Edna and Poppet Flats as of 6 p.m. Friday because the fire threat to those areas has diminished. Residents must check in with the distribution center at Hemet High School and provide proper identification to get an access pass.

The Silent Valley RV Park remains closed due to safety concerns and the ongoing firefighting operations. A limited window was set to be alloted for RV owners between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday. RV owners that are allowed in will need to leave by 11 a.m.

Evacuation orders are in effect for Marion Mountain Campground, Fern Basin Campground, Dark Canyon Campground as well as the Marion Mountain and Seven Pines hiking trails.

Black Mountain was evacuated and closed as a precaution. Boulder Basin and Black Mountain Campgrounds on Black Mountain Road have also been closed until Aug. 15.

Evacuation centers for residents and animals have been set up at:

- Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave. in Hemet.

- Beaumont High School, 39139 Cherry Valley Blvd. in Beaumont.

- San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.

Shadow Hills RV Resort says evacuees with RVs can stay at the resort for free until the fire is contained. The resort is located at 40-655 Jefferson St. in Indio.

Highway 243 remains closed between Banning and Azalea Trail in Poppet Flats. Residents were advised to use east Highway 74 to north Highway 243 to reach Twin Pines, Mt. Edna, and Poppett Flats communities.

The blaze destroyed 26 homes, one commercial building and heavily damaged two structures.

Eight firefighters have suffered injuries due to the fire. One homeowner was also injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Get more Wildfire Center »

riverside county, fire, brush fire, cal fire, wildfire center

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•