Thousands have been evacuated in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties due to the blaze
A wildfire that’s burning in the mountains east of Los Angeles and forced thousands of people from their homes was sparked by a malfunctioning vehicle, officials revealed on Monday.
“Specifically, a diesel-fueled vehicle emitting burning carbon from the exhaust system,” the agency said. “The determination is reinforced by multiple independent witnesses, as well as supporting physical evidence.”
The fire has destroyed at least four homes and two outbuildings while threatening dozens more, fire officials said.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire is 15 percent contained and has consumed some 41 square miles of dry brush and chaparral in Riverside County.
Firefighters watch the Apple Fire in Banning, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
An emergency closure order was put in place Sunday prohibiting all entry into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, including the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail between the forest boundary and Forest Road 1N01, according to FOX11.
Hand crews work on the remaining hot spots from a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Several evacuations are in place in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, impacting thousands of residents. At one point, sweeping orders impacted some 8,000 people.
Volunteers used to “close contact” with evacuees have had to adjust their approach during a time of social distancing, Medina said.
“I mean, that’s part of the recovery of a disaster, is that you have to show warmth and love and caring. And that’s hard when you’re standing six feet away. So that’s the biggest challenge,” Medina told KESQ-TV.
The wildfire has generated a smoke plume that was visible for miles around and contributed to poor air quality.
Smoke from the Apple Fire can be seen in this satellite image from NASA. (NASA/GOES-East)
Source: Fox News