Apple Fire Burns More Than 26K Acres, Containment At 5%

Officials say the Apple Fire has now scorched an estimated 26,450 acres in Riverside County and remains at 5% containment.

It broke out Friday in the Cherry Valley area, burning into the San Bernardino National Forest.

Lisa Cox, the forest's fire information officer, said she saw the pyrocumulus clouds over the weekend and knew it was bad. "My stomach just dropped."

Cal Fire Captain Chris Bruno says the fire had a lot of potential to grow. Hot temperatures, low humidity and dry vegetation mean the area is "primed for the wildland fires."

"When a wildland fire is burning in a certain area, it'll preheat that area that it's about ready to consume, and then that increases the rate of spread on the incident," he said.

The blaze is now one of the largest so far this year for Southern California, according to Bruno.

Here's Kate Kramer, public information officer with the U.S. Forest Service:

Thousands of residents have been asked to evacuate their homes in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

So far, one home and two outbuildings have been confirmed destroyed.

THE BASICS

• Acreage: 26,450
• Containment: 5%
• Damage: Assessment teams are being deployed
• Resources deployed:
• Hand Crews: 29
• Engines: 275
• Dozers: 24
• Helicopters: 9
• Fixed wing: 2
• Water Tenders: 48
• Total Personnel: 2,296

EVACUATIONS

• San Bernardino County:
• Orders: Oak Glen
• Warnings: Forest Falls, Pioneertown, Rim Rock
• Riverside County: Enter your address in this interactive map to see if you're in an evacuation area.

ROAD CLOSURES

At the following intersections:

• High & Cherry, High & Jonathan, High & Winsap, Orchard & Avenida San Timateo, Orchard & Avenida Miravilla, Orchard & Oak Glen, Cherry Valley Blvd. & Bellflower Ave., Sunset & Wilson, and Bluff & Mias Canyon

OTHER CLOSURES

• San Gorgonio Wilderness, including Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the forest boundary and Forest Road 1N01
• All USFS recreation areas in Forest Fall

READ MORE ABOUT THE FIRE

• The Apple Fire — And Coronavirus — Leaves Some Evacuees Scrambling For Shelter
• Get updates on the Apple fire incident information fact sheet

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.