Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Human Caused

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 33,234 acres

Location: Banning Canyon

Injuries: 3

Homes destroyed: 4

Percent contained: 55%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:

Hand Crews: 32

Engines: 102

Dozers: 8

Helicopters: 17

Fixed wing: 2

Water Tenders: 19

Total Personnel: 1,719

Current Situation:

Containment continues to improve—reaching 55% overnight. As crews fortify control lines and fire progression diminishes, operations will be transitioning from 24-hour shifts to day shift only tomorrow. To the north, there is some potential for rollout—large burning logs or debris rolling across the fire’s edge and downslope. However, if rollout occurs, the fire would not spread. It would burn back up the slope and towards the perimeter, not away from it.

Warm, dry, and windy conditions are expected today and Wednesday. This morning, winds could reach up to 45 mph along ridgetops. With relative humidity decreasing and temperatures increasing, hotspots are expected to pop up along the southern portion of the fire’s edge. Smoke may still be visible, and firefighters will continue to patrol this area.

With the focus now in areas that are more difficult to access by foot, crews must shift their firefighting tactics. Helicopters will support operations today by transporting firefighters who will rappel down to the fireline in a remote area to the north. Additionally, the helicopters will serve as crew shuttles.

The Apple Fire has burned 7,249 acres of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. In this roadless area, firefighters implement Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to strengthen control lines. These crews utilize the expertise of resource advisors to identify locations and techniques for firefighting activities with a “light on the land” approach. Resource advisors use their knowledge of natural and cultural resource management, as well as fire and fire suppression, to provide recommendations for implementing MIST. In many cases, resource advisors are also trained wildland firefighters.

Evacuations / Closures:

The Evacuation Warning for all of Morongo Valley in San Bernardino County was lifted yesterday afternoon. There are no remaining Evacuation Warnings in effect.

One easy and potentially life-saving task that all residents can do right now is to sign up for the emergency alerts system in their county. These systems help public safety officials to provide critical updates, such as evacuation notifications, as quickly as possible.

San Bernardino Residents

Telephone Emergency Notification System

http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Riverside County Residents

RivCoReady

www.rivcoready.org

The San Gorgonio Wilderness is closed to all use. An Emergency Forest Closure Order is in effect as of August 2, 2020. The order prohibits all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and some adjacent areas. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Falls area are closed. Fire restrictions have increased across the San Bernardino National Forest. Please refer to the Forest web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for additional details.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail: Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, the PCT is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N01 (Pipes Canyon Road).

Smoke Advisory: Smoke from the Apple Fire has impacted communities to the east. Unhealthful air quality can result in the exacerbation of some medical issues, especially lung problems. Residents with medical issues affected by smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity in smoky conditions.

Donations: Two Apple Fire camps have been established. The camps are essentially small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day. Area residents who wish to make food donations are encouraged to contribute to local food pantries.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Riverside County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Fire, California Highway Patrol and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: During the 2020 fire year, the most important thing that the public can do is work to prevent human-caused fires. From following fire restrictions to talking to neighbors about defensible space around their homes, individual actions can reduce the number and impact of human-caused fires. Additionally, these efforts can preserve firefighting resources, reduce the need for firefighters to move throughout the country, and minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 among incident personnel and communities served.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire and vicinity. It is illegal to fly drones within the restricted area. Remember, “When you fly, we can’t”.

A Burned Area Emergency Response team Inciweb page has been created for the incident:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6939/

Actualizado: 2020-08-11 08:01 PDT

Aviso Especial

Este será el ultimo pronóstico para el fuego Apple 2020.
 

Incéndio

Se espera que la actividad de fuego continúe siendo minima de aquí en adelante. Todavía es posibles que ardan algunos puntos críticos aislados, pero no se espera crecimiento significativo adicional.

Humo

En general, la producción de humo mínima y vientos más fuertes del suroeste deberán mantener la calidad del aire dentro del rango de Bueno en todos los lugares dentro del área de pronóstico durante hoy y mañana. A partir de entonces, es probable que la producción de humo sea demasiado baja para afectar la calidad de aire en general. Es poco probable, pero aun posible, ver humo o bruma ligera ocasionalmente en las mañanas en áreas de Morongo Valley y Banning cerca del incendio. De lo contrario, espere niveles de calidad de aire típicos de verano.

Inland Empire-Desert Region Apple Fire

Issued at: 2020-08-11 07:32 PDT

Special Statement

This will be the final smoke outlook for the 2020 Apple Fire.

Fire

Fire activity is expected to remain minimal going forward. Some isolated hotspots are still possible, but no significant further growth is expected.

Smoke

Overall, minimal smoke production and stronger SW winds today should keep air quality in the good range at all sites in the forecast area throughout today and tomorrow. Thereafter, smoke production is likely to be too low to affect overall AQI, though an occasional morning with brief light smoke/haze in Morongo Valley or Banning areas near the fire is unlikely, but still possible. Otherwise, expect typical summer AQI levels.

Incident Information:
Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Human Caused

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 32,905 acres

Location: Banning Canyon

Injuries: 3

Homes destroyed: 4

Percent contained: 50%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:
Hand Crews: 32

Engines: 102

Dozers: 8

Helicopters: 17

Fixed wing: 2

Water Tenders: 19

Total Personnel: 1,719

Current Situation:

Firefighters continue to strengthen control lines and make progress on containment, which increased to 50% today. Based out of remote spike camps along the northern flank of the Apple Fire, firefighters worked on cooling several hotspots along ridgelines. In some interior islands of vegetation in the north, the fire continues to burn out. Helicopters supported fire suppression efforts with water drops in areas inaccessible by foot. Crews continue to patrol, cool down areas of heat, and backhaul equipment.

Late this afternoon, Evacuation Warnings were lifted for Morongo Valley. Under unified command, agencies collaborate and share information regarding potential fire risk. As fire containment increased and potential threat to communities decreased, the recommendation was made to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to lift the Evacuation Warning for the Morongo Valley.

Tonight, crews will be monitoring for any increased fire activity as gusty winds up to 45 mph expected overnight and into Tuesday morning. These strong winds will test control lines. Crews will also look out for hotspots within large interior islands of remaining vegetation.

Crews continue to demobilize, which allows time for rest and resupply. Afterwards, the crews will be available for another deployment. The nation is at Preparedness Level 4, which means that two or more geographic areas in the country are experiencing significant wildland fire activity that require extensive resources. Equipment and personnel are in heavy demand. Preparedness levels are not only determined by available resources but also fuel and weather activity. A high-pressure system is forecasted for this weekend, resulting in more potential fire weather: hot, dry, and windy.

Evacuations / Closures:

The Evacuation Warning for all of Morongo Valley in San Bernardino County was lifted this afternoon. There are no remaining Evacuation Warnings in effect.

One easy and potentially life-saving task that all residents can do right now is to sign up for the emergency alerts system in their county. These systems help public safety officials to provide critical updates, such as evacuation notifications, as quickly as possible.

San Bernardino Residents

Telephone Emergency Notification System

http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Riverside County Residents

RivCoReady www.rivcoready.org

The San Gorgonio Wilderness is closed to all use. An Emergency Forest Closure Order is in effect as of August 2, 2020. The order prohibits all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and some adjacent areas. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Falls area are closed. Fire restrictions have increased across the San Bernardino National Forest. Please refer to the Forest web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for additional details.

Weather: Warm temperatures and low relative humidity are expected through Tuesday. Southwesterly winds will become stronger, especially on Tuesday morning. During the afternoon and evening, wind gusts up to 35 mph are expected. A heatwave is forecasted for this weekend, with relative humidity in the single digits.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail: Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. The PCT is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N01 (Pipes Canyon Road).

Smoke Advisory: Smoke from the Apple Fire has impacted communities to the east. Unhealthful air quality can result in the exacerbation of some medical issues, especially lung problems. Residents with medical issues affected by smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity in smoky conditions.

Donations: Two Apple Fire camps have been established. The camps are essentially small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day. Area residents who wish to make food donations are encouraged to contribute to local food pantries.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Riverside County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Fire, California Highway Patrol and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: During the 2020 fire year, the most important thing that the public can do is work to prevent human-caused fires. From following fire restrictions to talking to neighbors about defensible space around their homes, individual actions can reduce the number and impact of human-caused fires. Additionally, these efforts can preserve firefighting resources, reduce the need for firefighters to move throughout the country, and minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 among incident personnel and communities served.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire and vicinity. It is illegal to fly drones within the restricted area. Remember, “When you fly, we can’t”.

A Burned Area Emergency Response team Inciweb page has been created for the incident:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6939/

Apple Fire Morongo Valley Evacuation Warning Lifted

Beaumont, Calif. – Effective immediately the Evacuation Warning for all of Morongo Valley – including both sides of Highway 62, has been lifted. The Morongo Valley Evacuation Warning was the last of the Apple Fire evacuations to be lifted.

Forest Order No. 05-12-00-20-12, the closure order for the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area remains in effect. Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N01 (Pipes Canyon Road).

A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire area. Click the hyperlink for a map and information.

Be prepared for the next emergency. Sign up to receive emergency alerts in your county. Emergency alerts can provide life-saving information regarding emergencies and disasters in your area.

San Bernardino County residents are encouraged to sign up for Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) emergency alerts using the following web address: http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Residents are also encouraged to download the Ready San Bernardino County app. This app will give you information to help you prepare for local emergencies and disasters. http://readydl.com/landing/eoc06071/index.html

Riverside County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at the following website: www.rivcoready.org

Apple Fire Morongo Valley Evacuation Warning Lifted

Beaumont, Calif. – Effective immediately the Evacuation Warning for all of Morongo Valley – including both sides of Highway 62, has been lifted. The Morongo Valley Evacuation Warning was the last of the Apple Fire evacuations to be lifted.

Forest Order No. 05-12-00-20-12, the closure order for the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area remains in effect. Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N01 (Pipes Canyon Road).

A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire area. Click the hyperlink for a map and information.

Be prepared for the next emergency. Sign up to receive emergency alerts in your county. Emergency alerts can provide life-saving information regarding emergencies and disasters in your area.

San Bernardino County residents are encouraged to sign up for Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) emergency alerts using the following web address: http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Residents are also encouraged to download the Ready San Bernardino County app. This app will give you information to help you prepare for local emergencies and disasters. http://readydl.com/landing/eoc06071/index.html

Riverside County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at the following website: www.rivcoready.org

Actualizado: 2020-08-10 07:55 PDT

Incéndio

La actividad en el incendio continúa siendo mínima. Las áreas calientes aisladas dentro del perímetro van disminuyendo, pero aun presentes principalmente en la esquina Norte/Noreste del fuego, en elevaciones más altas.

Humo

En general, la producción de humo ha sido mínima y probablemente seguirá siéndolo durante el día de hoy. En esta mañana, es posible que nuevamente haya humo ligero en el rango moderado cerca del fuego, en las áreas de Morongo Valley y Banning, pero probablemente se despeje al final de la tarde o al anochecer. Las comunidades más apartadas del fuego, continuarán viendo niveles de calidad de aire típicos, con algo de bruma visible hacia el área del fuego. Mañana, probablemente haya menos acumulación de humo cerca del fuego en la mañana, ya que vientos más fuertes del Suroeste afectan el área, y la actividad del fuego continua disminuyendo.

Inland Empire-Desert Region Apple Fire

Issued at: 2020-08-10 07:27 PDT

Fire

Fire activity continues to be minimal, with a decreasing number of isolated hotspots interior to the perimeter, mostly on N/NE corner of the fire at the higher elevations.

Smoke

Overall, smoke production has been minimal and will likely continue to be so today. This morning, light smoke in the moderate range is again possible near the fire in the Morongo Valley and Banning areas, but clearing by late afternoon and evening is likely. Farther-flung communities should see continued typical overall AQI levels with some haze visible toward the fire area. Tomorrow, less accumulation of smoke

near the fire by morning is likely as stronger SW winds affect the area, and fire activity continues to subside.

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Human Caused

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 32,905 acres

Location: Banning Canyon

Injuries: 3

Homes destroyed: 4

Percent contained: 45%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:

Hand Crews: 40

Engines: 164

Dozers: 17

Helicopters: 20

Fixed wing: 2

Water Tenders: 33

Total Personnel: 2,295

Current Situation:

Fire activity decreased overnight, and containment has grown to 45%. Fire activity has slowed enough that fewer resources are needed as crews push towards containment. While the efforts may not be visible from far away, firefighters continue to work to keep the fire in established control lines. In the north, crews are securing the perimeter by building fireline and carefully inspecting the area for any hotspots. In some areas, specialized crews will be using suppression strategies with the least environmental impacts in the wilderness. On the Apple Fire, one strategy in the San Gorgonio Wilderness is to take advantage of natural barriers, like rocky outcrops, for control lines.

Along the western perimeter, focus has shifted from structural protection to backhaul, the process of pulling excess supplies from the fireline. Equipment will be cleaned and repaired—ready for the next incident. Crews will work on chipping brush to reduce fuel load. Firefighters will also focus on repairing impacts to the landscape from fire suppression efforts. Patrol and mop up efforts continue to the south and east.

With increased winds forecasted today, all crews will be vigilant for hotspots and sources of spotting across the fire’s edge. As crews and equipment demobilize, these resources become available to respond to future incidents.

Evacuations / Closures:

The Evacuation Warning for the following area in San Bernardino County remains in effect:

• All of Morongo Valley – including both sides of Highway 62.

One easy and potentially life-saving task that all residents can do right now is to sign up for the emergency alerts system in their county. These systems help public safety officials to provide critical updates, such as evacuation notifications, as quickly as possible.

San Bernardino Residents

Telephone Emergency Notification System

http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Riverside County Residents

RivCoReady www.rivcoready.org

The San Gorgonio Wilderness is closed to all use. An Emergency Forest Closure Order is in effect as of August 2, 2020. The order prohibits all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and some adjacent areas. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Falls area are closed. Fire restrictions have increased across the San Bernardino National Forest. Please refer to the Forest web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for additional details.

Weather: Today, warm temperatures and low relative humidity are expected. Southwesterly winds will become stronger throughout the day. Upcanyon winds may gust up to 25 mph in the afternoon and evening hours on Monday.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail: Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. The PCT is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N01 (Pipes Canyon Road).

Smoke Advisory: Smoke from the Apple Fire has impacted communities to the east. Unhealthful air quality can result in the exacerbation of some medical issues, especially lung problems. Residents with medical issues affected by smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity in smoky conditions.

Donations: Two Apple Fire camps have been established. The camps are essentially small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day. Area residents who wish to make food donations are encouraged to contribute to local food pantries.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Riverside County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Fire, California Highway Patrol and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: In addition to dealing with the inherent hazards of fighting a wildland fire, firefighters are taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting inter-crew face-to-face interactions to what is operationally necessary to engage the fire safely.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire and vicinity. It is illegal to fly drones within the restricted area. Remember, “When you fly, we can’t”.

A Burned Area Emergency Response team Inciweb page has been created for the incident:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6939/

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Human Caused

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 32,412 acres

Location: Banning Canyon

Injuries: 3

Homes destroyed: 4

Percent contained: 42%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:

Hand Crews: 40

Engines: 164

Dozers: 17

Helicopters: 20

Fixed wing: 2

Water Tenders: 33

Total Personnel: 2,229

Current Situation:

For the second day, firefighters were successful in keeping the fire footprint from expanding. Containment slightly increased to 42% due to efforts today. Evacuation Warnings for Forest Falls, Rimrock, and Pioneertown were removed. In addition, Evacuation Warnings in Riverside County have been removed. The decreased threat to life and property marks another success in firefighting operations. The Evacuation Warning for Morongo Valley remains.

Some personnel and equipment were released today as the focus shifts from structural protection to backcountry firefighting operations. Along the northern perimeter of the fire, much of the fireline is inaccessible by foot. Wildland Fire Modules were transported by helicopter to this area to scout opportunities for natural barriers to limit the fire spread. Additional crews hiked narrow ridges to look for fires ignited by embers outside the perimeter. No spot fires were found.

Along the eastern perimeter, mop up activities continued. Tonight, firefighters will focus their work on this area.

Evacuations / Closures:

The Evacuation Warning for the following area in San Bernardino County remains in effect:

• All of Morongo Valley – including both sides of Highway 62.

One easy and potentially life-saving task that all residents can do right now is sign up for the emergency alerts system in their county. These systems help public safety officials to provide critical updates, such as evacuation notifications, as quickly as possible.

San Bernardino Residents

Telephone Emergency Notification System

http://readydl.com/landing/eoc06071/index.html

Riverside County Residents

RivCoReady

http://readydl.com/landing/eoc06071/index.html

The San Gorgonio Wilderness is closed to all use. An Emergency Forest Closure Order is in effect as of August 2, 2020. The order prohibits all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and some adjacent areas. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Falls area are closed. Fire restrictions have increased across the San Bernardino National Forest. Please refer to the Forest web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf for additional details.

Weather: Tonight, and into Monday, warm temperatures and low relative humidity are expected. Monday, southwesterly winds will become stronger throughout the day. Upcanyon winds may gust up to 25 mph in the afternoon and evening hours on Monday.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail: Due to closures in both the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management. The PCT is closed to all traffic between the Cottonwood Trailhead, near the community of San Gorgonio and Forest Road 1N101 (Pipes Canyon Road).

Smoke Advisory: Smoke from the Apple Fire has impacted communities to the east. Unhealthful air quality can result in the exacerbation of some medical issues, especially lung problems. Residents with medical issues affected by smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity in smoky conditions.

Donations: Two Apple Fire camps have been established. The camps are essentially small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day. Area residents who wish to make food donations are encouraged to contribute to local food pantries.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Riverside County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Sheriffs, San Bernardino County Fire, California Highway Patrol and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: In addition to dealing with the inherent hazards of fighting a wildland fire, firefighters are taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting inter-crew face-to-face interactions to what is operationally necessary to engage the fire safely.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire and vicinity. It is illegal to fly drones within the restricted area. Remember, “When you fly, we can’t”.