More than a dozen wildfires have started since Saturday in California, marking the start of the fire season. The largest of these are in the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, according to authorities.
As the state transitions from a typically dry winter and spring to what is predicted to be a scorching summer and fall, officials caution that the flaming occurrences of the past three days are a preview of what lies ahead over the next few months. Additionally, personnel are staging in Northern California, where a flag warning is in effect in numerous counties through 8 p.m. Tuesday, even though the majority of the current fires are in the Southland.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, here is the most recent information on the fires that are now raging around the Golden State.
Wolf fire, Riverside County
After starting Sunday afternoon, the rapidly spreading Wolf fire spread to over 2,400 acres, necessitating road closures and evacuations in the vicinity of Banning.
By 5:45 p.m. Monday, firefighters’ containment was 30%. The fire started at Old Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail, and three hundred firefighters, four helicopters, and seventy engines were still trying to put it out.
On Monday, the majority of Banning and Cabazon south of Interstate 10 were still under evacuation orders. You may find a map of the communities that the orders have touched here. Hemet High School, located at 41701 E. Stetson Ave., was designated as an evacuation shelter for impacted homes, and 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto was designated as an animal evacuation facility.
Juniper fire, Riverside County
Around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, the Juniper fire broke out in an unincorporated hilly region of Perris, causing the neighboring communities of Camelot Hills and Good Hope to issue warnings and orders for evacuation.
According to a Cal Fire spokesperson, 633 individuals and 261 structures were under evacuation orders on Monday night, and 2,507 people and 1,579 structures were under evacuation warnings.
By 5:45 p.m. Monday, firefighters had stopped the fire’s advance and contained the 688-acre blaze to a 30% level. The fire was still being fought in rugged hillside terrain by 183 firefighters, 24 engines, and two helicopters. In order to strengthen containment, crews were scheduled to stay on the scene through Tuesday.
At Citrus Hill High School, located at 18150 Wood Road in Perris, a care and reception center was set up for impacted families. You may find an evacuation area map here.
Lake fire, San Bernardino County
On Monday night, firefighters were able to control the 483-acre Lake fire that was burning close to Silverwood Lake to a 40% level. Around 4 p.m. on Saturday, the fire broke out close to Cedar Springs Dam Trail and State Highway 173.
The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is still closed to the public, and an evacuation alert was still in force in the hillside areas south of the village of Lugo and north of Silverwood Lake. Here is a map of the impacted areas.
On Monday morning, crews halted the fire’s forward advance and continued to concentrate on fortifying control lines in regions where the fire was still burning.
Sims fire, Lassen County
On Monday night, the 223-acre Sims fire in Lassen County was 25% contained by crews. Around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the fire broke out along McAfee Road in Herlong, close to Honey Lake and the California-Nevada border. The fire is being handled by 60 people and one helicopter.
Mindy fire, Riverside County
Regional evacuation orders were lifted Monday after firefighters successfully contained the 103-acre Mindy fire in a rural part of Riverside County. Just before 4 p.m. on Sunday, the brush fire broke out north of Aguanga, close to Decoursey Road and Minday Lane. By Monday night, 80% of the fire had been suppressed.
Mandalay fire, Riverside County
On Monday, firefighters completely contained the 83-acre Mandalay fire. Just before 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the fire broke out in a brushy region west of Riverside Municipal Airport.
Smiley fire, San Bernardino County
On Monday, firefighters completely contained the 83-acre Smiley fire. On Saturday, the fire began at the intersection of Smiley Road and San Timoteo Canyon Road, south of Redlands.
Fires under 30 acres
The following fires started on Sunday: the 26-acre Kenyon fire in Shasta County; the 26-acre Quarry fire in San Joaquin County; the 24-acre Perch fire in Siskiyou County; the 20-acre Marysville fire in Yuba County; the 20-acre Llano fire in San Luis Obispo County, which started on Saturday and is completely contained; and the 19-acre Cable fire in San Bernardino County on Sunday.
