Bringing thick smoke into the Morongo Basin communities, the nearby Silver Fire near Banning grew to 16,000 acres as 1,400 firefighters from 84 engine companies work ton control of the fast-moving blaze. Some communities have been evacuated and Highway 243 is closed from San Gorgonio Avenue in Banning to Marion Ridge Drive in Pine Cove. The fire started about 2 p.m. Wednesday, growing from just a few hundred acres to several thousand, within a few hours. As of this morning six people were reported injured, 26 homes, one commercial building, and two outbuildings were burned, and 530 structures are still threatened. The fire is 25 percent contained. Two evacuation centers, at Beaumont and Hemet High Schools have been set up. Smoke from the fire has been thick at times locally, depending on wind direction. If you see or smell smoke in the air where you are, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family’s health.
SILVER FIRE IN BANNING BRINGS SMOKE INTO OUR MORONGO BASIN
