Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire Now 3,825 Acres, 85 Percent Contained, Noble Creek Park Open to Public

The Hathaway Fire smoldering in mountains northeast of Banning was estimated at 3,825 acres and 85 percent contained as of 7 p.m. June 20, and Noble Creek Park was re-opened to the public earlier Thursday.

Incident command for the Hathaway Fire was moved to Banning Airport, and by Thursday evening Beaumont residents and visitors were on the ball fields and tennis courts at Noble Creek.

There were 289 personnel assigned to the fire as of sundown Thursday, and remaining resources included two helicopters, two engines, six crews, two water tenders, and one dozer. Full containment of the burned area is still hoped for by Tuesday June 25.

Ten firefighters have been injured fighting the fire in the San Gorgonio Wilderness since the blaze broke out Sunday June 9 on the Morongo Indian Reservation, according to incident commanders. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

One structure described as an outbuilding was destroyed during the fire at the Snow Peak communication site. There was no damage to communication equipment.

Firefighters plan to continue building fireline in the days ahead, incident commanders said.

"In some areas the Whitewater Drainage with its sparse fuels is being used as a natural fuel break," commanders said in their Thursday evening update. "Crews will be focused on extinguishing remaining hot spots in all areas of the burn."

A Burn Area Emergency Response team has been assigned to evaluate the burn area and propose treatments to minimize effects of the fire.

To read previous Banning-Beaumont Patch coverage of the Hathaway Fire click the following links:

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Now 3,823 Acres, 83 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Now 80 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire Cost to Date Estimated $9.3 Million, 73 Percent Contained

Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Remains at 3,807 Acres, Now 63 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Now Estimated 3,816 Acres, 52 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire Burns Fuel Near Whitewater River, Now Estimated 3,596 Acres

Hathaway Fire Camp Prompts Venue Change for 4th Annual Ho'olaule'a to Beaumont Sports Park

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Estimated 3,520 Acres, 43 Percent Contained

PHOTO GALLERY: Hathaway Fire Helicopter Pilots Take on Retardant, H20 at Sundown

UPDATE: Hathaway Fire NE of Banning Grows to 3,130 Acres, Estimated 40 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Fire NE of Banning Grows to 2,372 Acres, Estimate 30 Percent Contained

UPDATE: Mountain Blaze NE of Banning Estimated 1650 Acres, 25 Pct Contained

Beaumont's 'Movies Under the Stars' Canceled Due to Hathaway Fire Near Banning

UPDATE: Fire NE of Banning Grows to 1,500 Acres, Concern for 'Significant Growth Potential'

Banning Woman with Family on Morongo Reservation: 'My Rez is on Fire'

Fire NE of Banning Grows to 1,300 Acres, Smoke and Aircraft Visible in Redlands

Agencies that have worked the fire include the U.S. Forest Service, Cal-Fire Riverside County, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and Morongo Tribal Bureau of Indian Affairs.


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