Crews Battle Wildfire In Banning [UPDATED]

BANNING, CA -- Riverside County firefighters on Wednesday afternoon battled a wildfire in Banning for about 2.5 hours before getting a handle on it. The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. in the area of Shirleon Drive and Old Banning Idyllwild Road.

Fire officials said the wildfire was burning at a moderate rate of speed in light flashy fuels and quickly spread to approximately 15 acres.

More than 100 firefighters, 10 engines and one helicopter were called to the scene of the wildfire as smoke was plumed miles away. By 6 p.m., their work paid off and the fire was contained to 19.5 acres.

Firefighters were expected to remain on scene throughout the night to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished.

#LonghornFire #BanningCA ShirleonDrXOldBanningIdyllwildRd 19.5 acres 100% Contained Hard Air & Grnd Resource Work
3 Air Attack pics Attached = Perimeter Control#CALFIRE #RivCoFire #IntegratdCooperativeRegionalFireProtectSystem#CALFIREservingCA@CALFIRERRU @CAL_FIRE @CALFIREBDU pic.twitter.com/J9VXaw3Oyo
— John Hawkins (@JhawkFire) December 14, 2017

--Photo courtesy of Gustavo Meza