• Jessica Young

Silver Fire in Riverside County Continuing to Grow

Sierra Del Mar (August 9, 2013) - The Salvation Army stands ready to respond to the needs of survivors and first responders of the Silver Fire, currently burning in Riverside County. This fire has burned more than 16,000 acres and is continuing to grow. Latest reports have the fire at only 25% contained. Lieutenants Anthony & Tammy Poe of the Hemet Corps Community Center were on site at the Command Post set up in Noble Creek Park, Beaumont CA to provide refreshments to first responders there.

Other Corps Community Centers currently on alert for response: Moreno Valley Corps, Cathedral City Corps, San Bernardino Citadel, Riverside Corps, Redlands Corps, and the Yucca Valley Service Extension Office.

Two Salvation Army Disaster Service Mobile Feeding Units (Canteens) have been prepared for service to those in need. The canteens, from San Bernardino and Cathedral City Corps, have responded to the needs of first responders and survivors under the coordination of the Command Post in Noble Creek Park.
The Salvation Army currently has four officer and seven volunteers working the fires, not including the auxiliary person at the Divisional Headquarters.  As the fire grows, the needs of those affected are changing and soon Salvation Army personnel will need volunteers trained in Emotional & Spiritual Care.

Fire Information:

FIRE GROWING! NEEDS ARE GROWING!

Overnight the fire continued to burn actively. Fanned by gusty winds out of the west, the fire moved to east into the Cabazon area. A damage assessment team will begin working to determine the exact number and type of structures damaged or destroyed by the fire. On August 7, 2013 during initial attack on the Silver Fire a CAL FIRE dozer experienced problems that led to damage of the dozer from an internal fire, which did not injure the operator.

Black Mountain has been evacuated and closed as a precaution. Boulder Basin and Black Mountain Campgrounds on Black Mountain Road have been closed through August 15. Evacuation Orders remain in effect for the communities of Vista Grande, Mt. Edna, Poppet Flats, Twin Pines, Silent Valley as well as portions of Cabazon - Peach Street, Plum Street, Eucalyptus Street, and Riza Avenue, Ida Avenue, Helen Avenue East to Elm Street. Black Mountain and Boulder Basin Campgrounds as well as Black Mountain Fire lookout have been closed by the Forest Service. Evacuation order in effect in lower Cabazon and Snow Creek Village.

Total Fire Personnel: 1,632 
Total Fire Engines: 169 
Total Fire crews: 49 
Total Helicopters: 8 
Total Dozers: 16 
Total Water Tenders: 13