Full containment expected soon
Crews focused on hot spots as the Silver Fire nearedfull containment today, having charred 20,292 acres, destroyed 26 homes andinjured a dozen people since breaking out south of Banning on Wednesday.
The fire was 95 percent contained Monday morning, with full containment expectedlater today or Tuesday, fire officials said. Earlier, 100 percent containmenthad been expected on Sunday.
An 11th firefighter was injured during Sunday’s effort to completecontainment lines, officials said. The extent of the injury was unknown.
Some 1,400 firefighters remained on the scene Sunday, and ninehelicopters continued to make water or retardant drops.
One civilian suffered serious burns the first day of the fire. He wasriding a mountain bike in the area, and is not suspected of starting the blaze,which remains under investigation, officials said.
The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, where evacuated residents couldtake their pets, and the Beaumont High School evacuation center closed Sunday,with nearly all evacuated residents having returned to their homes.
The Silent Valley RV Park remained closed amid safety concerns andongoing firefighting operations. Residents were allowed to go in early Sundaymorning to get some of their things.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday declared a state of emergency in RiversideCounty, making Silver Fire victims eligible for federal aid.
