All Evacuations Lifted, Roads Reopen: Banning's Sunset Fire

READ THE LATEST ABOUT THE SUNSET FIRE: Arson Suspect Arrested In Banning's Sunset Fire

Last updated 12:20 p.m. July 28, 2023

BANNING, CA — Roads reopened and all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted Friday as crews gained the upper hand on a brush fire in Banning.

At 12 p.m., Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department announced the lift on the 103-acre Sunset Fire that was 90 percent contained. Road closures were also lifted, the agency said.

Early Friday morning the fire department downgraded evacuation orders to evacuation warnings.

Officials asked that people returning to the area use caution as fire resources continue working in the area.

The Sunset Fire broke out shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday near Mesa and Gilman streets. By 11 p.m. Thursday, the fire department reported the blaze's "forward rate of spread" was stopped.

There were no reports of injuries. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The blaze was one of three brush fires burning in Riverside County. Read more:

• Brush Fire Burns In Mountains South Of Banning, Beaumont
• Brush Fire Burns East Of Temecula