Crews expect to make further progress Thursday containing the Wolf Fire south of Banning, which has scorched nearly 2,500 acres.
Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Thursday for the stubborn 2,414-acre blaze, which was still just 55% contained, authorities said.
“Today fire crews made good progress increasing the containment line and hitting interior hot spots,” according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department dispatch. “Their continued efforts are making noticeable improvements daily. With favorable weather conditions over the next couple days, improvement on the line should be expected.”
Crews continued with night operations, increasing the containment line while searching for hot spots,” officials said.
Nearly 1,100 firefighters and other personnel were battling the blaze, along with 80 engines, 14 water tenders and 15 bulldozers.
A total of 32 hand crews were also working the lines and hot spots.
Road closures and evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for an area south of Interstate 10.
An evacuation shelter was established at Hemet High School, 41701 Stetson Ave., and an animal shelter was being offered at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services’ San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave.
The fire began just after 3 p.m. Sunday at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state flew fire suppression missions.
Three firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
No structures were reported damaged as of Thursday morning, but more than 4,200 structures were said to be threatened. Fire officials expect full containment of the brush fire by Monday, July 7.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.