Bonny Fire Destroys 1 Structure, 786 Remain Threatened: 20% Contained

AGUANGA, CA — The Bonny Fire, burning near the Cahuilla Indian Reservation in Riverside County, crept through steep and rugged terrain overnight with no significant growth, according to Monday morning's incident update.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters, assisted by multiple agencies across Southern California, have boosted the lines of cleared vegetation around the now mapped 2,305-acre brush fire that erupted south of Aguanga Thursday. The containment increased to 20% overnight.

Full containment of the blaze was expected within a week, barring unforeseen weather incidents.

Firefighters continued constructing handling around the fire perimeter overnight, incident commanders reported. Unburned brush within the perimeter continues to threaten containment lines," Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said Monday morning. "Extremely steep and rugged terrain remains a challenge. Current weather patterns and a chance of thunderstorms through Tuesday could increase the risk of erratic fire behavior."

Firefighters planned to keep the spread minimal throughout Monday, cooling hot spots and constructing the containment line around the fire's perimeter.

For the latest information:

#BonnyFire [UPDATE] The fire is now 2,305 acres and 20% contained.

Firefighters continued constructing handline around the fire perimeter, with no significant fire growth throughout the night. Unburned brush within the fire perimeter continues to be a threat to containment… pic.twitter.com/RwdkD62u65
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) July 31, 2023

The Bonny Fire was reported at 2:50 p.m. Thursday near Bonny and Barber lanes, according to the fire department. Full containment isn't expected until Aug. 7.

One firefighter suffered an unspecified injury as a result of the firefight. No homes have been burned, and one outbuilding was destroyed.

The force battling the flames included 2,066 firefighters from Riverside and cooperating agencies, officials said. Seven helicopters and "numerous" air tankers were working overhead.

An evacuation order remained in effect for the area north of the San Diego County line, east of Bonny Lane, south of Bowers Road, Bailey Road, and Ramsey Road, and west of Anza Borrego State Park.

The evacuation warning that began at noon Saturday included the area of

north of the San Diego County Line, east of Spanish Spur Trail
south of La Cima Road/Indian Paint Brush Road, west of Anza Borrego State Park, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

A care and reception center was established at Hamilton High School in Anza. The county Department of Animal Services stationed personnel at the location to assist with displaced animals, who were being housed at the San Jacinto Animal Campus at 581 South Grand Ave.

Shortly after it started Thursday, the fire nearly swept across Chapman and Johnston roads, prompting Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters to unload near several homes, protecting them from damage, according to reports from the scene.

On Thursday evening, the head of the fire jumped a road amid light winds and moved into hills, creating challenges for ground personnel.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District had no smoke advisories for southwest Riverside County.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.