Containment For Verona Fire Grows to 45%

HOMELAND (CNS) - A wind-driven brush fire that broke out north of
Homeland and scorched 648 acres, destroyed outbuildings and other structures
was 45% contained today.
  

The Verona Fire was 38% contained according to the first report issued
Thursday by the Riverside County Fire Department.
  

Minimal fire behavior was observed throughout Thursday, according to
the department.
  

Suppression efforts remain ongoing as crews continue to construct,
strengthen, and secure control lines. Crews will conduct mop-up and patrol
operations to reinforce and secure established containment lines. The fire is
expected to remain within the current perimeter as established control lines
hold.
  

Damage inspection teams were on scene Thursday conducting ongoing
assessments of impacted areas, the department announced
  

There were 518 personnel, 37 engines, 27 hand crews and 14 water
tenders assigned to the fire, fire officials said.
  

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday on a hillside in the area
of Juniper Springs and Verona roads, north of Highway 74, according to the
department.
  

Multiple engine and hand crews from the Riverside County and Hemet
fire departments and Soboba Tribal Fire Department were sent to the location
and encountered flames moving at a rapid rate through medium vegetation, with
three to four homes in the direct path of the fire.
  

Firefighters established a defensive perimeter Tuesday and prevented
the fire from impacting occupied homes, but outbuildings and storage facilities
in the area were consumed by the fire, according to reports from the scene. The
exact number couldn't be confirmed.
  

Mandatory evacuations were implemented for properties scattered south
and east of Juniper Springs Road. An evacuation warning was declared for the
Panorama Cove Mobile Home Park at 32600 Highway 74.
  

One firefighter suffered unspecified minor injuries and was reportedly
taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment.
  

An evacuation shelter was established at West Valley High School in
Hemet and an animal evacuation center at San Jacinto Animal Shelter  in San
Jacinto.
  

After a series of drops by Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping
helicopters, the fire's forward rate of spread was halted at 3:40 p.m. Only one
chopper remained overhead late Tuesday afternoon, making targeted drops, and
officials said evacuation orders were expected to be lifted by 6 p.m., but
remained in place as of 2 a.m. Wednesday morning.
  

However, Cal Fire announced later Tuesday that the fire jumped control
lines and was burning ``at a critical rate of spread.'' The agency said
there was no diversion order for the four air tankers on scene.
  

Sheriff's deputies closed a segment of Juniper Flats for public
safety. Highway traffic was not affected.
  

The cause of the fire was under investigation.
  

The Verona Fire was one of two large wildfires burning in Riverside
County Friday morning. The Bain Fire erupted Tuesday morning in the Santa Ana
River bottom in Jurupa Valley and charred 1,497 acres. It was 60% contained as
of Friday morning.
  

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