Evacuations lifted as firefighters continue battling 2,400-acre Wolf Fire near Banning

Riverside County firefighters continue to battle a quickly growing brush fire burning in the hills near Banning. 

It was first reported at around 3 p.m. on Sunday in the area of the Wolfskill Truck Trail, located near Old Banning Idyllwild Road, according to Riverside County Fire Department crews. 

They arrived at the scene to find the fire burning at a moderate rate of spread through vegetation. 

At the time of arrival, they said the blaze had already burned around 20 acres. As of Sunday the next weekend, Cal Fire said the fire had grown to 2,387 acres and is 95% contained. 

The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries have been reported.

"Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters will continue working throughout the night on containing the fire," said an update from Riverside County firefighters at around 9 p.m.

Evacuation orders and warnings

With the fire's rapid growth, pushing towards Highway 243, firefighters shared a series of evacuation orders and warnings for several zones in Riverside County. A full list of evacuation orders can be seen here.

A care and reception center was established at Hemet High School, located at 41701 E. Stetson Avenue and an animal shelter was offered at 581 S. Grand Avenue in San Jacinto.

Fires erupt across Inland Empire

The blaze is one of many to break out across the Inland Empire over the weekend. On Saturday, the Lake Fire scorched nearly 500 acres of vegetation and forced evacuations near the Silverwood Lake recreational area close to Hesperia, while the Smiley Fire burned more than 80 acres before firefighters could gain the upper hand in San Bernardino County. The next day, more evacuations were ordered when the Mandalay Fire broke out near homes in Riverside and the Mindy Fire burned in remote Riverside County.