Coyote Fire Burns Above Banning: 46 Acres, Firefighter Injured

BANNING, CA — The Coyote Fire continued to burn Monday in the Pass Area above Banning, Cal Fire / Riverside County Firefighters reported Monday.

The Coyote fire is holding at about 47 acres and is 80 percent contained as Monday afternoon. The attack continues from the air and the ground, according to the department spokesperson, Capt. Rob Roseen.

"Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the day mitigating hot spots and strengthening containment," he said.

One firefighter was injured battling the blaze and was taken to a nearby hospital. The injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Falling temperatures and rising humidity since the blaze began Sunday should help to quell the blaze. Still, winds in the area are gusting at 13 miles per hour in the city of Banning.

The well-established fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread in light to medium fuels amid steady winds. It began near Old Idyllwild Road in Banning, and approximately 200 firefighters, 23 engine companies from BDU Cal Fire, Morongo Fire Department and the USFS San Bernardino are at work on the blaze from the ground and air.

There are no evacuations from this remote fire and no reports of structures being threatened or destroyed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.