Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020
Cause: Human Caused
Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush
Size: 26,850 acres *
Location:  Banning Canyon
Injuries: 1
Structures Destroyed: 5
Percent contained: 7%
Strategy: Full Suppression
 

Resources:
 
Hand Crews: 31
Engines: 321
Dozers: 28
Helicopters: 12
Fixed wing: 2
Water Tenders: 50
Total Personnel: 2,565
 

*Acreage is determined each night after an infrared surveillance flight. The morning update will reflect accurate data regarding acres burned.

Current Situation: The Apple Fire is continuing to spread to the north across the head of the Mill Creek Canyon, and east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness.  As the fire burns into the wilderness the vegetation is becoming sparse limiting fire intensity. The most significant fire behavior today was in the area of Millard Canyon on the east side of the perimeter. Fire activity is being driven primarily by record low moisture content of the vegetation combined with high temperatures and low relative humidity.

On Monday efforts to combat the Apple fire were multi-focused. Firefighters began to assess and prepare for the potential of structure threat in Forest Falls, Oak Glen and the nearby areas. Fire crews are constructing fireline by hand and with dozers along the west perimeter and across the ridge between Oak Glen and Forest Falls. Crews  engaged the most active area of the fire on the east perimeter. On the south perimeter established firelines are being improved. Pockets of heat in vegetation near the line are being located and extinguished to further reduce the potential of the fire escaping the line. 

Damage assessment teams are deployed and will be surveying the fire area for damage to structures and infrastructure.

Evacuations / Closures: For Riverside County Residents: please visit https://www.rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents for an interactive map that will allow you to enter your address to see if you are in an evacuation area. 

For San Bernardino County Residents: The community of Oak Glen is under an evacuation order. Forest Falls, Pioneertown, and Rim Rock are all under an evacuation warning.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness has been 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.  This order also includes the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 1N01. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Falls area are closed.

Evacuation Center: An evacuation center has been opened at Beaumont High School, 39139 Cherry Valley Boulevard, Beaumont, CA. Evacuated animals are also being accepted at the high school. Animal Control is on scene.

Road Closures: There are numerous road closures in the area 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.

Weather: Hot and dry again on Monday with somewhat improved humidity recovery Monday night. Westerly winds will gust 20 to 30 mph Monday afternoon and evening between 1200 PDT and 2000 PDT, weakening after 2000 PDT but remaining gusty.

Donations: The Apple fire camp has been established. The camp is essentially a small city that includes “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, Red Cross, 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.

SAN BERNARDINO, Cafli. - It's Midsummer on the San Bernardino National Forest, and with temperatures rising, the vegetation drying and wildfires increasing in both frequency and size, fire managers, are taking action to the threat by further restricting campfires, smoking and recreational shooting.

The following will be effective on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, until winter conditions allow them to be lowered again:

• Campfires are now prohibited at Yellow Post Sites and are only allowed at open family campgrounds. You are, however, allowed to have a fire ring, stove, or lantern that runs on gas fuel and has a shut off valve, provided you have obtained your California Campfire Permit.
• Barbecues in Forest Service-provided grill stands will continue to be allowed at Jenks Lake, Applewhite, Lake Fulmor, Lake Hemet and Fuller Mill Creek picnic areas 
• Smoking is now only allowed inside your vehicle or at open developed campgrounds.
• Discharging a firearm is no longer allowed anywhere in the forest except for when hunting and at the three shooting ranges that operate under a special use permit with the forest: Big Bear Valley Sportsman Club, Arrowhead Fish and Game range and the Lytle Creek Firing Line.

Remember, fireworks are always prohibited in addition to dispersed campfires, such as a ground fire within a visitor-created rock ring.

There is a mandatory federal court appearance for any citation given for violating fire restrictions. There is a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment, or $10,000 and/or one year for an organization.

For a list of prohibitions and exemptions, please read the attached Forest Order.

Visitors should contact ranger stations for any questions. 

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Evacuations / Closures: In Riverside County Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following:
• all areas east of Potrero Road, north of Morongo Road, west of Whitewater Canyon and south of the San Bernardino County Line
• all areas west of HWY 62, north of Interstate 10, South of the San Bernardino county line and east of Whitewater Canyon

Riverside County residents: please visit https://www.rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents for an interactive map that will allow you to enter your address to determine if you are within these evacuation warning areas.

In San Bernardino County Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas:
• Forest Falls, Pioneertown, Rimrock, and the community of Morongo Valley, including both sides of Highway 62

San Bernardino County residents: please visit http://www.sbcounty.gov/sbcfire/Tens/TensContact.aspx to sign up for emergency alerts for your area.

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 1N101 (Pipes Canyon Road).

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 26,450 acres

Location:  Banning Canyon

Injuries: 1

Percent contained: 5%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:

Hand Crews: 29

Engines: 275

Dozers: 24

Helicopters: 9

Fixed wing: 2

Water Tenders: 48

Total Personnel: 2,296

Current Situation: The Apple Fire is spreading primarily to the north and east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness.  The fire is burning in an area with no recent fire history. It is expected to burn into less dense fuels as it progresses. Fire activity is being driven primarily by record low moisture content of the vegetation combined with high temperatures and low relative humidity. These conditions are contributing to active fire behavior both day and night.

Sunday night and early Monday morning the fire was very active. Multiple spot fires erupted on the north side of the perimeter. The spot fires were engaged by a night vision equipped helicopter. Two of the spot fires were caught but one grew significantly and will be assessed today.

Firefighters are building fireline directly on the fire’s edge where possible. In areas where terrain is too steep to access firefighters are assessing other options for control line. Structure protection is in place in threatened communities. Good progress has been made on the southern and southeastern perimeter. Moving ahead, strategy will include slowing spread to the north and in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Additional firefighters are arriving on scene to assist with the effort to contain the fire. The assignment of the new resources will give firefighters who have been on the line over the last two days some much needed rest.

Damage assessment teams are deployed and will be surveying the fire area for damage to structures and infrastructure.

Evacuations / Closures:

For Riverside County Residents: please visit https://www.rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents for an interactive map that will allow you to enter your address to see if you are in an evacuation area. 

For San Bernardino County Residents: The community of Oak Glen is under an evacuation order. Forest Falls, Pioneertown, and Rim Rock are all under an evacuation warning.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness has been 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.  This order also includes the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 1N01. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Fall area are closed.

Road Closures:

There are numerous road closures in the area 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.

Weather:

Hot and dry again on Monday with somewhat improved humidity recovery Monday night. Westerly winds will gust 20 to 30 mph Monday afternoon and evening between 1200 PDT and 2000 PDT, weakening after 2000 PDT but remaining gusty.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations:

Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Red Cross, 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.

APPLE FIRE                                 AUGUST 2, 2020 EVENING UPDATE

Public Information Phone: 909-383-5688

Media Information Phone: 909-383-5501

Incident E-mail: 2020.apple@firenet.gov

Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6902/

San Bernardino National Forest:

www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf

CAL FIRE Riverside County Fire Department: www.rvcfire.org

Social Media Info:

Facebook: facebook.com/SanBernardinoNF/                                      Twitter: twitter.com/sanbernardinonf

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 20,516 acres *

Location:  Banning Canyon

Injuries: 0

Percent contained: 5%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Resources:

Hand Crews: 29

Engines: 260

Dozers: 11

Helicopters: 9

Airplanes: 2

Water Tenders: 11

Total Personnel: 2,266

*A mapping flight scheduled tonight will provide data regarding accurate acreage. Fire growth was evident today but an accurate acreage will not be available until data is analyzed. This will be provided in the morning update.

Current Situation:

The Apple fire burned actively today, primarily to the north and east. Much of the fire activity is being driven by the record low moisture content of the vegetation in the area combined with high temperatures and low relative humidity. These conditions are contributing to active fire behavior both day and night.

The fire is burning in an area with no recent fire history. It is expected to burn into less dense fuels as it progresses. Firefighters on the ground and in the air have been engaged and are building fireline directly on the fire’s edge where possible. Others protecting structures in local communities. Additional firefighters are arriving on scene to assist with the effort to contain the fire. The assignment of the new resources will give firefighters who have been on the line over the last two days some much needed rest.

Evacuations / Closures:

For Riverside County Residents: please visit https://www.rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents for an interactive map that will allow you to enter your address to see if you are in an evacuation area. 

For San Bernardino County Residents: The community of Oak Glen is under an evacuation order. Forest Falls, Pioneer Town, and Rim Rock are all under an evacuation warning.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness has been 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 Area.  This order also includes the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 1N01. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Fall area are closed.

Weather: Hot and dry again on Monday with somewhat improved humidity recovery Monday night. Westerly winds will gust 20 to 30 mph Monday afternoon and evening between 1200 PDT and 2000 PDT, weakening after 2000 PDT but remaining gusty.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Red Cross and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: If you fly, we can’t. Flying a drone near a wildfire is not only dangerous to aircraft on the fire but can shut down all air operations risking firefighters and public safety.

Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: July 31, 2020

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels Involved: Chaparral & Brush

Size: 20,516 acres

Location:  Banning Canyon

Injuries: 0

Percent contained: 0%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Hand Crews: 20

Engines: 178

Dozers: 11

Helicopters: 6

Airplanes: 2

Water Tenders: 19

Total Personnel: 1,200  

Current Situation:

The Apple Fire has burned over 20,000 acres and has no containment. Much of the northern and eastern edge of the fire is in very steep, rugged hillsides which is not accessible to firefighting vehicles. Firefighters will continue to work to slow the spread of the fire using all resources available including helicopters, fixed wing air tankers, ground equipment and hand-crews. Fire activity is expected to remain high today, with areas of active flame and smoke visible across the area.

This fire is being managed under a unified command, which includes California Interagency Incident Management Team 2, a type-1 team, has arrived to help manage the fire. Measures are being taking to reduce exposure to firefighters and first responders to risks associated with the potential spread of COVID-19 both on the fireline and in fire camp.

Evacuations / Closures:

For Riverside County Residents: please visit https://www.rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents for an interactive map that will allow you to enter your address to see if you are in an evacuation area. 

For San Bernardino County Residents: The community of Oak Glen is under an evacuation order. Forest Falls, Pioneer Town, and Rim Rock are all under an evacuation warning.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness has been closed to all use. Effective August 2, 2020 an Emergency Forest Closure Order is in effect which prohibits all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.  This order also includes the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 1N01. Additionally, all Forest Service recreation areas in the Forest Fall area are closed.

Weather: Poor humidity recovery overnight. Today will remain hot with a cooling trend in the forecast. West winds will be strong in the afternoon and into tonight.

Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: Riverside County Emergency Management Department and Southern California Edison.

Safety Message: If you fly, we can’t. Flying a drone near a wildfire is not only dangerous to aircraft on the fire but can shut down all air operations risking firefighters and public safety.  

SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST

Forest Order No. 05-12-00-20-12

Apple Fire Emergency Closure

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and 9b) and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.  This Order is effective from August 2, 2020 through September 1, 2020

1. Being on the National Forest System roads listed below.

   1. Forest Road 1S03 (Falls Road).

   2. Forest Road 1S03A (Falls Picnic Area Road).

   3. Forest Road 1S03C (Vivian Trailhead Road)

   4. Forest Road 1S03D

   5. Forest Road 1S42 (Momyer Parking Road).

   6. Forest Road 1N53 (Camp Angelus Road)

   7. Forest Road 1N82 (Forsee Ridge Road).

36 CFR 261.54 (e)

1. Being on the National Forest System trails listed below.

   1. Forest Trail No. 1E04 – South Fork Trail

   2. Forest Trail No. 1E06 – Momyer Creek Trail

   3. Forest Trail No. 1E08 – Vivian Creek Trail

   4. Forest Trail No. 1E09 – Lost Creek Trail

   5. Forest Trail No. 1E13 – Big Falls Trail

   6. Forest Trail No. 1W07 – Fish Creek Trail

   7. Trail No. 2000 (Pacific Crest Trail) from the San Bernardino National Forest Boundary in the southeast corner of Section 31, Township 1 North, Range 3 East, San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian continuing north to its intersection with Forest Road 1N01 in Section 6, Township 1 North, Range 3 East, San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian.

36 CFR 261.54(a)

1. Entering or being within the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Road and trail closures have been terminated effective September 24, 2020

The Chikamin Fire is located in the Chikamin Ridge area 22 miles north of Leavenworth, Washington. This fire is burning in heavy timber in steep inaccessible terrain. Crews are utilizing natural features, existing roads and trails, and the footprints of past fire areas to contain the spread of the fire. 

Most of the fire activity is in the Garland Creek area on the Entiat Ranger District. It is still within the confines of the old Wolverine Fire burn scar but smoke is visible from the Cottonwood Campground area. The fire is estimated to be 1,252 acres in size. Fire behavior has been fairly mild, although on Labor Day increased fire activity consumed the old miners shack on the western flank of the fire area.
 
To provide for public safety and firefighter safety on the Chikamin Fire the following road and trails are closed to public entry:  
- FS Road #6210 (Chikamin Road)  
- Lower Chiwawa Trail #1548
- Chikamin Tie Trail #1534
- Minnow Ridge Trail #1524
- Basalt Ridge Trail #1515
- Basalt Pass Trail #1530
- Rock Creek Tie Trail #1538
- Garland Peak Trail #1408
- Upper Mad River Trail #1409.1
- Alder Ridge Trail #1523
- Chikamin Tie Trail #1561
- Minnow Creek Trail #1539
- Shetipo Trail #1429