Fire In Banning Blackens 50 Acres

BANNING, CA — A blaze possibly ignited by target shooting erupted Thursday two miles southeast of Banning, burning close to 50 acres in rugged terrain by nightfall.

The non-injury Wolf Fire was reported at 5:08 p.m. in the area of Wolfskill Truck Road and Highland Springs Avenue, just west of the community of Poppet Flats and the western boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Because of the inhospitable terrain, crews encountered difficulties reaching the location, and a Cal Fire air tanker was initially alone in trying to contain the wind-driven brush fire.

As of 6:30 p.m., the fire was estimated at 50 acres in size and nearly 150 firefighters were assigned to the incident.

Witnesses reported several men target shooting in the area at the time and racing away in a dark-colored pickup truck when the flames started, officials said.

No homes or other structures were immediately threatened.

— By City News Service