BANNING, CA — Amid blistering heat and dry conditions, the Wolf Fire exploded to more than 1,400 acres as of Monday, sending ash and smoke across the Inland Empire and forcing people to flee from their homes.
The fire was reported just after 3 p.m. Sunday in the area of Old Idyllwild Road and Sherlion Drive, where fire crews reported the fire burning at a moderate rate of spread, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
As of 1 p.m. Monday, the blaze was 0 percent contained.
“The fire continues to burn at a moderate rate in medium to heavy brush. Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters will continue working throughout the night on containing the fire,” Cal Fire announced in a 10 p.m. status report.
Evacuation orders were issued for areas east of Highland Springs Avenue, west of Old Cabazon Road, north of Poppet Flat Divide Truck Trail and south of the Redlands (10) Freeway.
Evacuation warnings were also in place for regions east of Bergamo Avenue, west of South San Gorgonio (243) Avenue, north of Poppet Flats Trail and south of Highland Springs Avenue.
A care and reception site was set up in Hemet High School at 41701, E.
Stetson Ave., in Hemet, and an animal shelter was at 581 S. Grand Ave., in
San Jacinto.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
