103-acre Sunset Fire in Banning fully contained
7/28/23 Update 8:30 p.m.
The Sunset Fire was reported fully contained at 7:09 p.m. Friday, according to Cal Fire.
7/28/23 Update 3:40 p.m.
Investigators determined the cause of the fire was arson. A 45-year-old man was arrested and faces multiple counts of arson as well as possession of methamphetamine.
7/28/23 Update 1:30 p.m.
The Sunset Fire is 90% contained. The evacuation warning area and road closures have been lifted.
Officials said the fire was expected to be 100% contained sometime Friday afternoon.
The fire remains at 103 acres
7/27/23 Update 9:13 p.m.
The fire has grown to 103, however, it is now 50% contained.
All evacuation orders & warnings remain in place as of 9:15 p.m.
7/27/23 Original Report 7:39 p.m.
A fast-growing vegetation fire is burning in the city of Banning Thursday evening, causing evacuation orders in nearby area.
The fire was first reported at around 6:49 p.m. on Mesa Street and Gilman Street.
As of 7:30 p.m., the fire is 20 acres and officials said it is burning at a dangerous rate of spread.
At 8:00 p.m., Cal Fire issued the following evacuation orders:
- An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for the following area: South of Silver Star Drive, East of Sunset Ave, North of Wilson St and West of 16th St.
- An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for: North of Wilson Street, East of 16 th St, South of Repplier Rd and West of San Gorgonio Ave.
Multiple additional ground and air resources responding, Cal Fire said.
We're getting reports smoke from the fire is reaching parts of the western end of the Coachella Valley.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
