AGUANGA, CA — The Bonny Fire continued to burn Sunday, charring more than 2,200 acres in Riverside County. Nearly 2,000 firefighters endured extreme heat and steep, rugged terrain to halt the forward progress of the blaze Sunday, authorities said.
“Last night the fire had minimal growth as firefighters continued to make progress,” Deputy Operations Chief Robert Peterson said in a video update Sunday morning.
The blaze was 10 percent contained as of 7 p.m. Sunday, according to authorities. The fire destroyed one building, and 786 structures remained threatened, according to authorities. Full containment was not expected until Aug. 7. Nearly 1,900 emergency personnel were responding to the fire Sunday morning, with five helicopters and numerous air tankers assisting.
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“Firefighters are currently working aggressively both on the ground and in the air to gain further control of this incident,” Public Information Officer Jeff LaRusso said in the video update.
First responders worked Sunday to continue cooling hot spots and constructing containment lines around the perimeter.
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“Firefighters continued constructing handline around the fire perimeter, with no significant fire growth throughout the day. Extremely steep and rugged terrain and areas with limited fire history remains a challenge,” authorities said in an update Sunday evening. “Widely scattered thunderstorms with gusty and erratic winds through the night could increase
fire activity. Thunderstorms are predicted to last through Tuesday. Firefighters will continue working to improve fire lines, cooling hot spots and constructing containment line around the fire perimeter.”
According to CalFire, crews took advantage of overnight conditions to make progress against the blaze.
“Firefighters made good progress throughout the night on the Bonny Fire, however, extremely rugged and steep terrain remains a challenge,” CalFire announced Sunday morning.
Temperatures Sunday were forecast to be near 100 degrees.
As of 8 p.m. Sunday, evacuation orders were in place for north of the San Diego County Line; east of Bonny Lane; and south of Bowers Road, Bailey Road, and Ramsey Road; and West of Anza Borrego State Park.
See a Cal Fire interactive map here that shows evacuation areas.
Evacuation warnings were affecting areas north of the San Diego County Line; east of Spanish Spur Trail; south of La Cima Road/Indian Paint Brush Road; and west of Anza Borrego State Park.
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Old Mitchell Camp Road between Chihuahua Valley Road and Cooper Cienega Truck Trail was closed, as was Chihuahua Valley Road between Old Mitchell Camp Road and Highway 79.
A reception and care center for evacuees is set up at Anza’s Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. Residents can evacuate large and small animals to the San Jacinto Animal Campus, 581 South Grand Avenue in San Jacinto. Those needing assistance with animal evacuations can call 951-358-7387.
A wildfire smoke advisory issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District was in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday.
The brush fire east of Temecula was reported at 2:50 p.m. Thursday in the area of Bonny and Barber lanes, near the edge of the Cahuilla Indian Reservation south of Aguanga.
One outbuilding and a vehicle were destroyed Friday afternoon. A firefighter was reportedly injured, but officials offered no further details.
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