Update 8:30 a.m. August 1: The fire is estimated at 1,900 acres and is 0 percent contained.
A fire that started about 5 p.m. Friday in Cherry Valley, near Banning, has exploded to about 1,900 acres as of 6:30 a.m. Saturday and is sending smoke into the Morongo Basin. Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate. As of 6:30 a.m. Saturday, no houses have caught fire. Eleven aircraft, including a 747 super tanker, and four Cal Fire helicopters, have been called in to drop fire retardant and water on the blaze. More than 375 firefighters are on the scene, including 10 fire engines and four chief officers from San Bernardino County, including Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle of Yucca Valley. As of 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the fire was 0 percent contained. The fire is burning in rugged terrain. and threatening hundreds of homes.
The smoke from the Apple Fire blankets Morongo Valley and was blown in the Morongo Basin Friday evening.
Tami Roleff photo
