Crime & Safety
'Silver Fire' Near Banning Quickly Chars 2,500 Acres, Structures Lost
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Poppet Flats, Twin Pines and Silent Valley, and Highway 243 was closed between Banning and Azalea Trail in Poppet Flats.
A wildfire burning at a "critical rate" quickly charred 2,500 acres south of Banning and visible from southwest Riverside County spurred evacuations this afternoon.
The blaze, dubbed the Silver Fire, broke out for unknown reasons at 2:05 p.m. on Poppet Flats Road south of Banning, according to Melody Hendrickson of the Riverside County Fire Department. Several structures had burned as of 4:45 p.m.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Poppet Flats, Twin Pines and Silent Valley, and Highway 243 was closed between Banning and Azalea Trail in Poppet Flats.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Poppet Flats, Twin Pines and Silent Valley, and Highway 243 was closed between Banning and Azalea Trail in Poppet Flats.
An evacuation center was set up at Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave.
A total of 450 firefighters, 71 engines, five helicopters and four air tankers were sent to the scene, Hendrickson said.
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
—City News Service
Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
