Update 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28: The fire “is 100% contained. Firefighters and equipment will remain on scene completing fire suppression repair. Motorists should use caution driving in the area,” according to Riverside County.. 28: The fire “is 100% contained. Firefighters and equipment will remain on scene completing fire suppression repair. Motorists should use caution driving in the area,” according to Riverside County.
Update 8:53 a.m.:
The fire remains at 160 acres and is 60% contained. Resources will remain on scene improving control lines, according to Riverside County Fire.
Update 5:35 pm:
Riverside County Fire is reporting that the Westward Fire remains at 200 acres and is now 10% contained. The forward rate of spread is stopped. “Evacuation Warnings remain in place as firefighters work to fully contain the fire.”
Update: 4:32 pm
Highway 243 is closed between Smith Creek and Twin Pines Road because of the Westward Fire, according to Caltrans’ Twitter.
Original Post: 3:58 pm
Highway 243 upbound from Banning is closed due to a wildfire and will soon close down bound, according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Matt Napier.
The fire that was reported at 2:17 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, has burned about 30 acres. Banning High School and the KOA Campground are under evacuation orders.