Firefighters responded to a wildland fire Friday at 1:16 a.m. at the 28000 block of Bonita Vista Drive in Apple Canyon (between Mountain Center and Garner Valley). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) took over the incident, which had been under the command of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, Friday at 6 p.m. USFS reported the fire was 50% contained as of Monday night.

“In anticipation of incoming Santa Ana winds, crews focused on mopping up as much smoldering fire as possible today,” the agency tweeted on Monday. “Resources will remain on standby throughout the night.”

The fire forced the evacuation of Mountain Center and road closures at Morris Ranch Road and Borco Street on Highway 74 and Highway 243 at Saunders Meadow Road. The road closures were lifted by 12:30 p.m. Friday with the exception of Highway 74 from Mountain Center to Lake Hemet, which had a one-lane law enforcement escort.

At 6 p.m. Friday, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported the fire at 715 acres with 20% containment. It also reported that all road closures and evacuations were lifted. At that point, the incident was transferred to USFS command.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported the fire at 200 acres and 0% containment at 3:20 a.m. Friday, forcing an evacuation order for Mountain Center. Within 15 minutes, the fire grew 50 acres.

At 6:35 a.m., the agency reported the fire at 600 acres with 5% containment.

According to the agency’s website, “the first arriving engine company reported 15 acres of heavy vegetation and pine trees involved.” More than 250 firefighters responded to the incident.

The Banning Community Center, 789 N. San Gorgonio Ave., served as an evacuation center. For large animal evacuations, residents were directed to utilize the San Jacinto Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Ave. in San Jacinto.

Residents were directed to visit https://rivcoready.org/ActiveEvents, for updated evacuation information.