Local & Community
Three Fires Continue to Burn Near Coachella Valley as Crews Battle Blazes
Three separate fires are burning in areas surrounding the Coachella Valley, with firefighters making significant progress on two while one remains a stubborn challenge for crews.
Wolf Fire Near Banning Remains Active
The most concerning blaze is the Wolf Fire south of Banning, which has burned 2,414 acres and remains only 40% contained as of Wednesday. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for areas south of Interstate 10, affecting thousands of residents. More than 1,000 personnel are battling the brush fire, including 100 engines, 31 hand crews, 15 water tenders and nine bulldozers. Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state have been flying fire suppression missions since the blaze began. The fire started just after 3 p.m. Sunday at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. While no structures have been damaged, more than 4,200 buildings remain threatened by the flames. Three firefighters have sustained non-life-threatening injuries while battling the blaze. Fire officials expect full containment by July 7.
An evacuation shelter has been established at Hemet High School at 41701 Stetson Avenue, while an animal shelter is available at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services' San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Avenue.
Juniper Fire Nearly Contained
Better news comes from Mead Valley, where the 755-acre Juniper Fire reached 90% containment with all evacuation warnings lifted as of Wednesday. The fire, which began at 11:20 a.m. Monday south of Ann Way and Juniper Road, prompted mandatory evacuations north of Rocky Hills Road, south of Orange Avenue, west of Forrest Road and east of El Nido Road before they were lifted Monday evening. Crews successfully stopped the fire's forward progress despite challenging conditions, including winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph that caused the blaze to split into two heads pushing southeast. Two outbuildings were destroyed, but no homes were lost. One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated at Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley. The number of personnel has been reduced to 15, including five engines, as crews continue to reinforce containment lines and monitor for hot spots.
Mindy Fire Also Under Control
The smallest of the three fires, the Mindy Fire in Aguanga, has also reached 99% containment according to the latest Cal Fire update. That blaze burned approximately 109 acres.
Investigations Continue
The causes of all three fires remain under investigation by authorities. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and follow all evacuation orders and warnings. Those in surrounding communities should monitor local news and emergency alerts for updates. Road closures remain in effect around the Wolf Fire area, and the public is advised to use caution when traveling through areas affected by the Juniper Fire.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 2, 2025
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