The Apple fire, ignited by hot debris from a vehicle’s faulty exhaust in Cherry Valley July 31, has destroyed 12 structures, four of them homes, authorities said Tuesday, (August 4), as the blaze continued to move north and east deeper into the San Bernardino Mountains. Fire activity intensified Tuesday on the east and west flank of the fire; the far eastern edge of the fire is about 12 miles from Morongo Valley and 16 miles from the Pioneertown/Rimrock areas.
The fire grew to 27,319 acres and containment increased to 30 percent Tuesday night. Hand crews and bull dozers worked building fire breaks. Some evacuations are still in place because winds in the San Bernardino Mountains remained a threat, with gusts up to 30 mph forecast. An estimated 2,586 homes in several communities had been forced to evacuate, affecting 7,800 people. Some evacuations were lifted Tuesday afternoon for areas of Riverside County. The community of Oak Glen remains under evacuation orders Tuesday evening, while Forest Falls, Pioneertown and Rimrock remain under evacuation warnings.
For Morongo Valley, the Fire Department said computer models currently do not indicate the fire will reach Morongo Valley. This situation is being analyzed daily and really depends on how the fire reacts to the weather. Wind, temps, and relative Humidity are the influence on the fire progression.
Morongo Valley is currently NOT under an evacuation warning or orders, although residents are urged to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid the smoke.
Evacuation Center: The evacuation center at Beaumont High School closed Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. San Bernardino County residents remaining under the Oak Glen Evacuation Order may contact The American Red Cross at (571) 595-7774.
Road Closures: All road closures in Riverside County have been lifted. In San Bernardino County the following closures are current: Wildwood Canyon at Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen Road at El Dorado Park and Highway 38 at Valley of the Falls.
