SILVER FIRE UPDATE: Demobilization Begins as Costs Rise to More than $8.8 Million

For Monday updates on the Silver Fire incident click here.

Update 7:55 p.m.  On the fifth day of firefighting efforts related to the Silver Fire south of Banning and Cabazon, officials now have an estimated price tag to date.
As of Aug. 11, the estimated cost of the blaze is $8,862,335, according to a report distributed Sunday by Riverside County Fire Department Spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson.
The Department's evening update on the Silver Fire released shortly before 8 p.m. also explains that increased acreage reported earlier is due to "more accurate mapping" of the blaze.  It's estimated at 20,292 acres in size.
"No growth as firefighters continued constructing and improving containment lines throughout the day," the fire brief states.  "Increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping and ground-truthing."

Earlier in the day, when we learned of the increased size, we were also told that the fire was 90 percent contained.  Full containment is expected Monday.

Though total personnel is now listed at 1,434, but that number is expected to decrease soon.

"Demobilization of fire resources is in progress," the report states.

As of Sunday night, there were 107 fire engines, 59 fire crews, 5 bulldozers and 10 water tenders still assigned to the incident, according to Hendrickson.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Evacuation orders remained in effect for the community of Silent Valley. 

"[The evacuation order] has not been lifted and it is unknown when it will be lifted," one of the fire's public information officers, Robbie Richard from the San Marcos Fire Department, told Banning-Beaumont Patch in a telephone interview.

The following also remain closed: The Pacific Crest, Marion Mountain and Seven Pines hiking trails and Marion Mountain, Fern Basin, Dark Canyon, Black Mountain and Boulder Basin campgrounds.
Highway 243 also remained closed between Banning and Poppet Flats.

Update 5:05 p.m. Incident commanders for the Silver Fire south of Banning increased the estimated size of the burn area Sunday afternoon to 20,292 acres and said it was considered 90 percent contained.
Evacuation orders remained in effect for the community of Silent Valley. Marion Mountain, Fern Basin, Dark Canyon, Black Mountain, and Boulder Basin campgrounds remained closed. The Pacific Crest, Marion Mountain and Seven Pines hiking trails were also closed.

Update 1:35 p.m. Although smoke coming off the 30-square-mile Silver Fire burn area has dramatically decreased, alerts for unhealthy air quality have been issued for Banning, Hemet-San Jacinto and the Coachella Valley.
"When air quality is in the Unhealthy range, everyone may begin to experience health effects," the South Coast Air Quality Management District advised in a Sunday afternoon alert. "Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion."

The size of the Silver Fire burn area was estimated to be 19,436 acres as of 7 a.m. Aug. 11, an area that equates to 30.36 square miles.

The estimate of destruction caused by the fire as of early Sunday Aug. 11 included 26 homes, one commercial building, and 21 outbuildings destroyed, two homes and six outbuildings damaged, according to Cal Fire.

The Silver Fire, which was reported just after 2 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 7, also resulted in 11 injuries. The cause remained under investigation.

Update 7:35 a.m. The devastated Silver Fire burn area was estimated at more than 19,400 acres as of 7 a.m. Sunday and it was considered 75 percent contained."Repopulation of Poppet Flats, Cabazon, Snow Creek and Mt. Edna completed," Cal Fire officials said in a morning update.

Posted 5:05 a.m. With damage assessments showing the ferocious Silver Fire destroyed 48 structures, including more than two dozen homes, the Sheriff's Department has issued an insurance fraud advisory.

The estimate of destruction caused by the fire as of early Sunday Aug. 11 included 26 homes, one commercial building, and 21 outbuildings destroyed, two homes and six outbuildings damaged, according to Cal Fire.

The Silver Fire, which was reported just after 2 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 7, also resulted in 11 injuries and blackened an estimated 19,000 acres. The burned area was considered 70 percent contained before dawn Aug. 11.

More than 1,800 personnel were assigned to the incident, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Here is the insurance fraud advisory verbatim:

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is reaching out to the victims and residents affected by the Silver Fire by making the residents aware of potential individuals attempting to defraud residents by insurance frauds. Unfortunately, there is a possibility of potential criminals attempting to prey on victims and take advantage of their hardships by gaining financial gain.

What is Insurance Fraud?

Fraud occurs when someone knowingly lies to obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled or someone knowingly denies some benefit that is due and to which someone is entitled. This is a criminal offense and these types of crimes are investigated thoroughly.

What can you do if you feel you are a victim of Insurance Fraud?

If you feel you might be a victim of a potential fraud, please contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to report these types of crimes. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is committed to investigate crimes of this nature and is committed to the safety of the community. Call the non-emergency number for the Cabazon Sheriff's Station at 951-776-1099 or Call 911 for emergencies.

An evacuation order for Silent Valley RV Park remained in place due to safety concerns and ongoing firefighting operations, according to the Sheriff's Department and Cal Fire.

Evacuations also remained in effect for Marion Mountain, Fern Basin, Dark Canyon, Black Mountain, and Boulder Basin campgrounds. The Pacific Crest, Marion Mountain and Seven Pines hiking trails were closed.

Highway 243 remained closed between Banning and Poppet Flats as of 5 a.m. Aug. 11.

More on the Silver Fire from Banning-Beaumont Patch:

SILVER FIRE UPDATE: Burn Area is 19,000 Acres, 70 Percent Contained, 11 Injured

Updated Interactive Map of Silver Fire Burn Area by Esri of Redlands

SILVER FIRE HELP: Victim Resources for Debris Clean-Up, Assistance Contacts

SILVER FIRE RECOVERY: In Devastated Poppet Flats Neighborhood, Pig Survives Blaze and Neighbors Pull Together

SILVER FIRE: How You Can Help Fire Victims With Clothing, Monetary Donations

SILVER FIRE UPDATE: Evacs Lifted in Some Communities, Fire Estimated at 17,500 Acres

SILVER FIRE BURN VICTIM: Man Was Found on Old Banning-Idyllwild Road

SILVER FIRE VIDEO: Poppet Flats Resident Returns to Home Burned to Ground

SILVER FIRE MAP: Interactive Public Info by Esri of Redlands

VIDEO: As Silver Fire Advances Evacuee Says 'We Decided to Leave on Our Own'

Inside the Silver Fire: Photos From Evacuated Areas in San Jacinto Mountains

Beaumont Unified School District Employee Loses Everything in Silver Fire

Silver Fire Evacuation Center, Fire Camp Set Up in Beaumont

Video, Pics: Silver Fire South of Banning

SILVER FIRE UPDATE: 26 Homes Destroyed, 6 Injuries to Date