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

Update 7:20 p.m. The Hathaway Fire northeast of Banning was estimated at 3,816 acres as of 7 p.m. Saturday June 15, and it was considered 52 percent contained, incident commanders in Beaumont said in an evening update.

There were 1,031 personnel assigned to the fire as of Saturday evening.

There is potential for large fire growth further east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness, incident commanders said earlier Saturday. The east edge of the Hathaway Fire has already burned into the western portion of the 2006 Millard Fire.

"Tonight a specialized infrared-equipped helicopter will fly the entire fire perimeter mapping for remaining hot spots," incident commanders said. The number of firefighter injuries on the Hathaway Fire was reduced Saturday from 10 to nine on Saturday, "due to the clarification of a reportable injury."

The fire started before noon Sunday June 9 on the north edge of the Morongo Indian Reservation. The cause was said to be under investigation.

Posted 1:55 p.m. The Hathaway Fire had burned more than 3,700 acres in mountains northeast of Banning as of 7 a.m. Saturday June 15, according to fire commanders in Beaumont. 

"There is continued potential for large fire growth eastward into the San Gorgonio Wilderness," Forest Service and other commanders said in their Saturday morning update. "The east edge of the Hathaway Fire has burned into the western portion of the 2006 Millard Fire."

The fire burned fresh fuel near the Whitewater River on Friday, generating a significant column of smoke. Smoke has been visible over a wide area but there is no threat to any communities or structures, fire commanders said. 

The Hathaway Fire, which started Sunday June 9 on the north edge of the Morongo Indian Reservation, is burning on rugged steeps in dense chaparral and timber impacted by drought and bug kill.

As of 7 a.m. Saturday there were 1,228 personnel assigned to the fire, and it was estimated 45 percent contained. There were 12 helicopters and 10 tanker planes available to support crews on the ground, fire commanders said.

Ten firefighters had sustained minor injuries as of Saturday morning. One structure described as an out building has been destroyed at the Snow Peak communications site. There was no damage to the communication equipment, fire commanders said.

A target date for full containment of the Hathaway Fire has been set for June 25, but incident commander Don Garwood released a letter addressed to the public on Thursday stating "There is no way of knowing exactly when we will finish our work."

The cause of the fire was being investigated.

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

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 on 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. Fire camp remained at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont.