Cherry Valley's Apple Fire Now At 28,000 Acres, 30% Contained

BANNING, CA – Cherry Valley's Apple Fire had burned 28,085 acres and was 30 percent contained as of Thursday, according to officials.

Officials believe the blaze may be fully contained as soon as Aug. 17.

Control of the fire was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday, which has been providing periodic updates on progress.

On Thursday, the Forest Service said there were 41 hand crews, 311 engines, 19 helicopters and 2,591 personnel assigned to the fire.

Shortly before noon, a member of one of the hand crews working to dig containment lines was under a tree when a branch toppled onto his head, according to reports from the scene.

The firefighter was aided by medics at the location but required further attention and was taken to a staging area, where he was reportedly picked up by an ambulance. No other details were immediately available, including his identity or condition.

To date, four homes have been destroyed by the fire, officials said.

On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service said crews will focus on firefighting efforts in the Oak Glen area and in Millard Canyon. In the Oak Glen area, officials said crews are making good progress building a containment line around the perimeter.

In Millard Canyon, officials said fire spotting is a main concern with winds expected to pick up throughout the day Thursday.

On the southern perimeter in the Cherry Valley and Banning Canyon areas, firefighters are mopping up and backhauling equipment and trash from the area, officials said.

A community meeting for Pioneertown is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Post Office. A meeting for the Morongo and Yucca Valley communities is scheduled for Friday evening.

COVID-19 precautions

Due to coronavirus precautions, officials said fire camps are more spread out, masks are now part of standard personal protective equipment and personnel are screened on a regular basis.

"While firefighting is challenging during this COVID-19 outbreak, wildland fire personnel are trained to work quickly to adapt to changing situations," U.S. Forest Officials said in an update posted to Facebook Wednesday evening. "Adjusting to COVID-19 conditions and taking precautions is part of this kind of work."

Evacuations

All Riverside County evacuation orders have been lifted. An evacuation warning is still in effect for the area east of Potrero Road, north of Morongo Road and west of Whitewater Canyon Road.

For San Bernardino County residents, the community of Oak Glen remains under an evacuation order. Forest Falls, Pioneertown and Rimrock are all under an evacuation warning.

All road closures in Riverside County have also been lifted. In San Bernardino County, Oak Glen Road at Wildwood Canyon, Oak Glen Road at El Dorado Park and Valley of Falls Drive at Highway 38 are closed.

Donations

Two Apple Fire camps, which are small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day, have been established. Area residents who wish to make food donations are encouraged to contribute to local food pantries.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Related:

• Federal Aid Secured As Apple Fire Stretches To 26,000 Acres
• Officials Warn Of Unhealthy Air Quality Due To Apple Fire
• Firefighters Rescue Dog Amid Apple Fire
• Apple Fire 30% Contained, Riverside County Evacuations Lifted
• Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District Helps Fight Apple Fire