More recent update at bottom of the story:

At about 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 13, a wildfire was reported in the Pinyon area.

Quickly, fire personnel, planes carrying retardant and helicopters hauling water in buckets descended on the area. The Flats Fire was burning in the Santa Rosa Mountains off Highway 74 near Pinyon Crest, Pinyon and Alpine Village.

Law enforcement evacuated Pinyon Crest. An evacuation center was set up at Idyllwild School. The other two communities were placed under an evacuation warning.

California Highway Patrol closed Highway 74 between the Highway 371 junction at Paradise Corners and Palm Desert.

By 4 p.m., the Flats Fire had grown to 225 acres.

The San Bernardino National Forest and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department were in unified command. [As of 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, the Flats Fire is no longer under unified command. SBNF is now in command of the fire.]

At 4:30 p.m., Public Information Officer (PIO) Lisa Cox reported the fire at 250 acres. One firefighter was transported with injuries to Eisenhower Medical Center.

According to PIO Lee Beyer, the injured firefighter was being evaluated but had no life-threatening injuries. Beyer said two dwellings were destroyed, and three dwellings and three outbuildings were damaged.

He said the fire started in the Pinyon Transfer Station and traveled east, proceeding into the nearby canyon, jumping the highway and advancing up Sugar Loaf Mountain.

With dozers, aircraft, firefighters and fire retardant on scene, Beyer said though the fire at that time was 0% contained, some shaky containment was occurring in some areas.

He said the fire was picking its way slowly up Sugar Loaf because of the rocky terrain, with challenges being heat and wind.

Incident Command’s two top priorities were holding the fire on the south slope so it didn’t ascend into the 8,000-foot elevation Santa Rosa forest area and protecting houses in the evacuated Pinyon Crest area from Scenic Drive to Carrizo Road.

“It’s looking a whole lot better than it did at 1 o’clock and 2 o’clock,” Beyer said.

By 6:30 p.m., the fire had grown to 400 acres where it would remain. The forward rate of spread had been stopped. Yet high heat, winds and rocky terrain still challenged firefighters.

By 8:30 p.m., the fire was 10% contained and then 30% by 9 a.m. Monday. As of Tuesday morning, it is 60% contained, all evacuation orders have been lifted, and Highway 74 is now open though recreation destinations in the area remain closed.

The U.S. Forest Service reported that the cause of the fire is under investigation. Personnel on scene numbered 400.

Recent update: As of Tuesday evening, more accurate mapping reduced the fire to 341 acres. The fire also is now 80% contained. As of Wednesday evening, the fire is now 85% contained. As of Thursday night, the fire is 90% contained. As of Monday morning, June 21, the fire is 100% contained. The cause is still not determined.