Crime & Safety

Containment On Hathaway Fire Expected By June 25

Several helicopters and water tankers, and more than 1,000 firefighters from federal, state, county and Native American agencies were sent to fight the blaze.

A fire that has scorched nearly 2,000 acres in the San Gorgonio Wilderness east of Banning is now 25 percent contained, with full containment expected by June 25, the U.S. Forest Service reported this morning.

The blaze started shortly before noon Sunday in the northern part of the Morongo Indian Reservation and is burning in "steep, rugged terrain" in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, according to the Forest Service. The fire had blackened 1,954 acres as of 8 this morning.

The blaze, dubbed the Hathaway fire, has sent a large plume of smoke visible throughout the western half Riverside County.

"During the night, firefighters made good progress building direct fire line, working from remote spike camps," according to a Forest Service statement. "Firefighters will continue to work throughout the day to construct additional fire line."

No evacuations or structure threats were reported, and no roads were closed in the area. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries -- they were treated at a camp and returned to the fire lines, according to the Forest Service.

Several helicopters and water tankers, and more than 1,000 firefighters from federal, state, county and Native American agencies were sent to fight the blaze.

The area where the fire is burning has a lot of dead trees from a drought and bark beetle infestation. --City News Service


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