A wildfire fueled by high winds and dry conditions spread rapidly through the nearby San Jacinto Mountains yesterday, injuring three, destroying 15 structures and causing evacuation in communities near the recent Mountain Fire. Riverside County firefighters said they were far from controlling the Silver Fire, burning east and estimated at 10,000 acres. The communities of Silent Valley, Twin Pines, Poppet Flats, Vista Grande and Mount Edna, and parts of Cabazon, were under mandatory evacuation. The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. near Poppet Flats Road just south of Banning. Highway 243 was shut down between Banning and Azalea Trail in Poppet Flats. Smoke from the fire was thick in the Palm Springs area and, depending on wind direction, could arrive here in the Morongo Basin. If you see or smell smoke in the air where you are, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family’s health.
NEARBY BANNING “SILVER” FIRE SCORCHES 6,000 ACRES
