5:13 P.M. UPDATE: The fire is 20, 292 acres and 90 percent contained. Beaumont High School Evacuation Center has closed as of 3 p.m. Visit the Riverside Sheriff's Department website here — http://www.riversidesheriff.org/press/admin-firewatch.asp — for concerns about insurance fraud.
1:35 P.M. UPDATE: Silent Valley Club residents and campers who are at the club now are not allowed to leave until the Riverside County Sheriff's office gives the order, said Sgt. Lisa McConnell. Mt. Edna, Poppet Flats and Silent Valley residents may come and go with an access pass but only traveling south on Highway 243.
She said the highway will remain closed indefinitely from Poppet Flats Road to Banning due to the dangers of missing guard rails and falling trees as a result of the Silver Fire. Caltrans will need to assess the damage before giving an estimated time of re-opening the highway.
9:52 A.M. UPDATE: The Riverside County Sheriff's Department lifted the evacuation order Twin Pines last night. Only local residents are allowed to repopulate with an access pass until further notice. Residents must receive an access pass from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department check point at Highway 243 and Poppet Flats Road. The pass must be displayed in order to re-enter the evacuated areas.
Highway 243 will remain closed north of Poppet Flats Road to Wesley Street in Banning. In order to reach Twin Pines, Mt. Edna and Poppet Flats communities, use Highway 74 east to Highway 243 north.
Accessibility to Twin Pines, Mt. Edna or Poppet Flats through the Soboba Indian Reservation or southbound Highway 243 from the City of Banning are not allowed. Identification showing proof of residency in the affected communities is required, including but not limited to, a California Drivers License/ID card, residency identification card, or utility bill (plus photo ID). Special requests will be handled on a case by case basis.
A limited window of accessibility was allotted to Silent Valley recreational vehicle (RV) owners this morning until 9 a.m. RV owners allowed in will need to leave Silent Valley RV Park by 11 a.m. today and will not be allowed re-entry into the park.
Residents are urged to use caution whle driving back into the area and resuming day-to-day activities. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department will continue security patrols in these communities as they are repopulated and settled.
The Silent Valley RV Park will remain closed until further notice due to safety concerns and the ongoing firefighting operations.
The fire is 19,436 acres and 75 percent contained.
