Wolf Fire Grows Near Banning: 3 Firefighters Injured, Evacuations Underway

The Wolf Fire burning south of Banning has now scorched more than 2,400 acres and is only 40% contained, according to CAL FIRE. Tonight, officials confirm that three firefighters have been injured while battling the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The blaze began Sunday afternoon near Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Fire retardant still stains the hillsides, and aerial drops from helicopters continue as crews fight to contain the fast-moving wildfire. The fire has spread south into the mountains and east toward Cabazon.

NBC Palm Springs’ Brett Rosen has been reporting on-scene near Banning, where more than 300 firefighters are working the front lines. He spoke with residents under evacuation warnings who say they’re staying alert and ready.

One local, Isaiah Moore, had little time to prepare. “I just got informed by my landlord that we're under evacuation, so I’m just trying to figure out where to go,” he said. “I just grabbed water—that’s it.”

The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter at Hemet High School to assist those displaced by the fire. Shelter supervisor Ken Rieger says most people arrived with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. “They played it safe and came here.”

For many in Banning, wildfire threats are nothing new, but concern remains high about how quickly things could escalate. “If everybody finally does decide to leave all at once, that’s the only thing—how are you going to get out?” one resident asked.

Highway 243 remains closed tonight, and CAL FIRE urges residents to stay alert and follow all evacuation orders and warnings as the situation continues to unfold.

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