Apple Fire Update: Riverside County Evacuation Orders Lifted

BANNING, CA – Some evacuation orders that were put in place due to the Apple Fire have been lifted, fire officials announced Tuesday afternoon, and command of the fire has been taken over by the U.S. Forest Service.

Effective immediately, evacuation orders are lifted for all areas east of Oak Glen Road in Riverside County, all areas west of Potero Road and north of Wilson Street in Riverside County.

Evacuation warnings remain in effect for all areas west of Potero Road, noorth of Morongo Road and west of Whitewater Canyon. Evacuation warnings for the areas of Forest Falls, Rimrock and Pioneertown in San Bernardino remain in effect as well.

Evacuation orders remain in effect in San Bernardino County for all areas east of Oak Glen Road, including Potato Canyon and Pine Bench north of the Riverside/San Bernardino line.

The closure order for the San Bernardino Wilderness Area remains in effect.

Officials advised residents who are returning to the area to remain vigilant when driving on local roads, and to slow down for utility workers, fire equipment and personnel working on or near the road.

Fire containment

As of Tuesday, the Apple Fire was 15 percent contained after charring 26,850 acres, injuring one person and destroying 12 buildings.

Officials said the fire continued to spread north across the head of the Mill Creek Canyon and east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness on Tuesday. As the fire heads into the wilderness where vegetation is becoming sparse, it limits the intensity of the fire, according to officials.

Overnight, firefighters constructed a fireline ono the southwest corner of the perimeter, officials said in an update posted to Facebook Tuesday, which increased the percentage of containment.

Cause of fire

Monday afternoon, officials determined the fire was caused by a malfunction in a diesel fuel vehicle, which caused it to emit burning carbon from its exhaust system, Cal Fire said Monday afternoon. Cal Fire said they are seeking witnesses who were driving on Oak Glen Road after 4:55 p.m. Friday, when multiple spot fires broke out.

One firefighter was injured, officials said Monday night, when his chainsaw malfunctioned due to hot temperatures. The firefighter suffered a flash burn to his wrist and elbow and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being released back to active duty.

Resident concerns

Several residents attended Monday evening's briefing with concerns about their properties. Among those were whether residents should remove equipment and vehicle from their barns and whether they should shut off their water.

For residents who are on a municipal water system, officials said it may be helpful to turn off the water system. However, for residents in more rural areas, officials said it may assist fire crews to leave the water system on.

In response to resident concerns over potential power outages, officials said Monday evening power company Southern California Edison has issued a Power Safety Power Shutoff notice, warning residents that there is a possibility that they may temporarily shut off power to neighborhood to prevent the electric system from becoming a source of ignition for the fire.

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