A brush fire burning south of Banning expanded to more than 2,400 acres Monday, but crews made dramatic improvements in containment, although evacuation warnings and orders remained in place.
As of Monday evening, the Wolf Fire was 2,414 acres and 30% contained, according to Cal Fire.
“Firefighters continue to establish and strengthen containment lines,” according to a Monday afternoon update from incident commanders.
The fire began just after 3 p.m. Sunday at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Roughly 300 firefighters were on the lines as of Monday, aided by four water-dropping helicopters and three water tenders.
Evacuation orders were issued for an area south of Interstate 10, with evacuation warnings expanded for areas bordering the interstate.
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state flew fire suppression missions.
An evacuation shelter was established at Hemet High School, 41701 Stetson Ave., and an animal shelter at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services’ San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave.
Three firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries, a fire department spokeswoman told KNX.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
