Apple Fire is 30% Contained, Riverside County Evacuations Lifted

BANNING, CA – The Apple Fire is now 30 percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service said Wednesday in an update, as the fire burned 27,319 acres and destroyed four homes.

According to the Forest Service, there are 40 hand crews, 322 engines, eight helicopters and 2,578 total personnel currently assigned to fight the fire.

On Wednesday, crews will continue to work up to Yucaipa Ridge and protect the Forest Falls and Oak Glen communities.

An additional base camp is being established at Yucaipa Ridge Park to help support fire crews working in the area.

Some evacuation orders that were put in place due to the Apple Fire have been lifted, fire officials announced Tuesday afternoon, and command of the fire has been taken over by the U.S. Forest Service.

Effective immediately, evacuation orders are lifted for all areas east of Oak Glen Road in Riverside County, all areas west of Potero Road and north of Wilson Street in Riverside County.

Evacuation warnings remain in effect for all areas west of Potero Road, north of Morongo Road and west of Whitewater Canyon. Evacuation warnings for the areas of Forest Falls, Rimrock and Pioneertown in San Bernardino remain in effect as well.

Evacuation orders remain in effect in San Bernardino County for all areas east of Oak Glen Road, including Potato Canyon and Pine Bench north of the Riverside/San Bernardino line.

The closure order for the San Bernardino Wilderness Area remains in effect.

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