One Calif. Wildfire Battle Price Tag at $8.3M So Far

Aug. 12--BANNING -- The Silver Fire, a blaze that charged through a mountainous area near Wrightwood for several days and charred more than 20,000 acres is 90 percent contained and is expected to be fully contained some time Monday, authorities said Sunday.

"We're very optimistic right now," said Reynaldo Rivera, a Cal Fire spokesman.

Barring any change in conditions, including the weather, firefighters will continue work bring an end to the fire by Monday, he said.

"Hopefully there will be no change," Rivera said.

Although no additional lands burned Sunday the acreage figure grew. The fire ravaged area totaled 20,292 acres Sunday night.

"The increase is due to better mapping and ground assessments," said Kevin Lucero, a Cal Fire spokesman.

Fire personnel totaling l,434 were in the area Sunday creating containment lines, looking for hot spots, and continuing to beat back the blaze, he said.

Helicopters were still making water drops.

As of Sunday the cost of fighting the fire totaled $8.3 million, Rivera said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Although the fire hasn't been completely contained work has begun to prevent potential problems such as soil erosion, Rivera he said.

Generally burn area assessment teams go into the burn areas following wildfires such as this one and begin looking for potential problems such as soil erosion that could come after a blaze, he said.

Teams remain in the areas looking for potential problems, Rivera said.

The Silver Fire destroy 26 homes, damaged two others and destroyed one commercial buildings. A total of 21 outbuildings -- which includes detached garages and sheds -- and damaged 6 others.

Evacuation orders are still in place for Silent Valley RV Park.

A number of camp grounds and trails remain closed.

The Marion Mountain, Fern Basin, Dark Canyon, Black Mountain and Boulder Basin camp grounds remain closed as are the Pacific Crest, Marion Mountain and Seven Pines trails.

Highway 242 between Banning and Poppet Flats will remain closed indefinitely.

Residents can access Highway 243 from Highway 74.

As of Sunday evening 11 firefighters were injured fighting the fire and one resident suffered burns as he was trying to flee blaze.

The Beaumont High School evacuation center was also closed Sunday.

Copyright 2013 - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif.