In just three days the Silver Fire in southern California has exploded, blazing through 16,000 acres of land, taking with it dozens of homes and threatening hundreds more.
According to the most recent update from Cal Fire, the 16,000 acre inferno in Riverside County is now at 25 percent containment, but officials say it will only continue to grow larger.
Riverside County Fire Department Chief John Hawkins has called the Silver Fire "one of the most rapid, quickly spreading, dangerous fires" that he has ever seen.
"We are committed to acting and quickly putting this fire to bed," Hawkins told reporters.
According to Cal Fire officials, the fire continued to burn actively on Thursday night. It was fanned by gusty winds out of the west, which pushed the fire east into the Snow Creek Drainage.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department issued evacuation orders on Thursday afternoon for Snow Creek Village in Cabazon. Evacuation orders were put in place earlier in Cabazon for Peach Street, Plum Street, Eucalyptus Street, Riza Avenue, Ida Avenue and Helen Avenue between Eucalyptus and Elm Streets.
On Wednesday evacuations were ordered for the communities of Poppet Flats, Twin Pines, Mt. Edna, Vista Grande and Silent Valley.
Highway 243 is closed between Banning and Poppet Flats and Snow Creek road is closed at Highway 111.
Thus far 27 structures have been destroyed by the fire, including 26 residences and one commercial building. Two other structures were damaged and an estimated 539 structures are currently threatened by the blaze.
Officials say a damage inspection team will continue working to determine the exact number and type of structures damaged or destroyed by the fire.
So far six people have been injured by the fire, including five firefighters and one civilian.
According to a report from Valley News, the civilian was reportedly burned "from head to toe" and had to be airlifted to a nearby burn center.
At a news conference on Thursday afternoon Hawkins told reporters that two of the injured firefighters had suffered heat exhaustion and were ordered off duty for 72 hours. Information on the injuries of the other firefighters was not released.
The cause of the fire is under official investigation, as approximately 1,632 fire personnel work toward extinguishing it. They are utilizing a total of 169 fire engines, 48 fire crews, eight helicopters, 16 dozers and 13 water tenders.
The Record Gazette reports that Sen. Bill Emerson, R-Redlands, sent a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown requesting a state of emergency be declared in the communities of Riverside County affected by the Silver Fire.
"I have been monitoring the situation closely and understand that Riverside County has declared a local state of emergency and plan to request that an emergency be declared by the state as well," Emmerson said. "Given the severe risk to life and property, we must do all we can to protect the health and safety of residents in these communities."
According to CBS Local Los Angeles, Sen. Barbara Boxer , D-Calif., who lives in Riverside County, toured the area affected by the fire on Thursday.
"I will help ensure that everyone here gets what they need to contain this fire and help residents who have been forced to evacuate," Boxer said at a news conference.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
