Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place Tuesday for the 2,414-acre Wolf Fire south of Banning, which was 40% contained after crews made significant improvement.
“Cooler temperatures and higher humidity (Monday) night allowed firefighters to secure the majority of Highway 243 and the southern part of the fire that was threatening our forest,” according to a statement from the San Bernardino National Forest.
Crews were contending with “steep, rugged terrain,” according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The fire began just after 3 p.m. Sunday at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Some 925 personnel were assigned to the brush fire, including 234 hand crews, 103 engines, 10 dozers and 16 water tenders.
Road closures and evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for an area south of Interstate 10.
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state flew fire suppression missions.
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.
Three firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
No structures were reported damaged as of Tuesday morning.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.