Merrick Deneen
Staff Reporter
The Apple Fire that has been burning in Riverside California for the past 17 days has been 95% contained as of August 17th. This fire has spanned over 33,000 acres of mountain land just outside the Moreno Valley Fwy.
Residents in California were not surprised when news of another wildfire broke out, considering fires are very popular on this area and this season has been especially dry. People living in the neighborhoods closer to the mountain were continuing their lives as usual, but concern began to spread as the fire grew bigger and containment was becoming more difficult. On August 1st, it was only two percent contained and residents were preparing for evacuation. Although fear was growing the San Bernardino and Yucaipa County Fire Department were quick to get things under control. More effort and resources were quickly transferred over to the county and for the past few weeks the fire became more and more manageable.
Although Riverside officials are relived at the quick job done by the firefighters, more work is still needed before things can return to normal. Controlled burns are being done around the last of the vegetation and repair efforts are being taken. Residents are warned to prepare for lots of smoke and heat coming from the mountains. The fire was confirmed to be man made but no further investigation has been taken. Four structures were destroyed during the fire and local fire fighters reported four injuries. It is still early in the Californian fire season and the state is already experiencing three large scale fires including the Appel Fire.
Image Credit: Merrick Deneen
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