Whitewater residents fear Apple Fire destruction as it moves east

A Whitewater ranch owner is preparing for the worst and hoping the destructive Apple Fire changes course as it moves within a few miles.

Linda Rivkin hopes to protect her property, filled with animal habitats and historic relics, at all costs. She's seen ominous smoke plumes nearby billowing into the sky over the last few days.

"Everything here is history and the ecosystem is so diverse, it needs to be saved," Rivkin said. "We feel like we're stewards of this place and a big fire would ruin it. ... We want to make sure that the bears and the cows and the cougars and the lizards and the snakes have a place to survive."

The Apple Fire burned nearly 27,000 acres in just 5 days as of Tuesday night. Firefighters increased containment to 20 percent.

A CALFIRE spokesman said Tuesday the fire was headed east, being driven by gusty winds. As of Tuesday evening, the fire was about 5 miles from Whitewater, though he said it shouldn't reach there for a few days.

Parts of Whitewater are under an evacuation warning.

"We don't want to see this place go in flames," said Douglas Flores, a caretaker on Rivkin's ranch. He said it holds a special place in his heart.

"It clears your mind; it gives you the tranquility that no other place on earth has," Flores said.

Now, he and Rivkin wait as they anxiously hold onto hope.

"I hope there is a miracle in the weather and that fire can be put out," Flores said. "I have fallen in love with this magical place. I will be devastated if I see it in flames."

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