Community Corner

UPDATED: Fire Breaks Out Near Summit Fire Burn Area, 25 Acres Burned on Banning Bench

A fire broke out on the Banning Bench Monday, charring a total of 25 acres before fire crews got the upper hand.

This article was written and reported by Local Editors Guy McCarthy and Renee Schiavone.

Update 4:45 p.m.: 

A fire that broke out Monday on the Banning Bench is now fully contained, fire officials report.

It's estimated to have burned some 25 acres total, according to Mark Annas of the Riverside County Fire Department.

Full containment was reached just before 4 p.m., but resources were expected to remain on scene for several hours to help with mop-up efforts.

No injuries were reported, and the fire was burning away from any structures, according to Annas.

Original story as follows: 

A fire broke out Monday afternoon in the same area scorched by the Summit Fire earlier in May, according to the Forest Service and Cal Fire.

The fire was reported at 1:47 p.m. May 20 and it burned an estimated five acres, Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire-Riverside County said in a phone interview.

John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest said the location appeared to be "a green island within the interior"  of the Summit Fire burned area. Miller estimated the location of the fire Monday as west of Mesa Road.

The Summit Fire broke out Wednesday May 1, blackened more than 3,000 acres and destroyed one home before it was declared 100 percent contained Saturday May 4.


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