A fast-moving brush fire dubbed the Panorama Fire ignited south of Banning Monday afternoon after a vehicle went off a cliff and caught fire, prompting emergency responders to enact a hard closure of Highway 243.
The incident began at approximately 11:53 a.m. when a vehicle traveled off the roadway and down the mountain near Mount Edna. Two people were reported to be associated with the vehicle, which was down the mountain and on fire by 11:58 a.m.. Both individuals are reported as having unknown injuries. By 12:05 p.m., the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, sending heavy smoke out of the canyon and spreading into the surrounding brush.
The resulting blaze, initially referred to as the Edna Fire, quickly burned approximately 20 to 25 acres and is exhibiting a critical rate of spread.
Incident command is actively requesting a heavy aerial and ground response to halt the fire’s forward progress. Cal Fire requested a total of six air ships to battle the blaze, prioritizing the incident for incoming aircraft.
To accommodate the emergency response and protect public safety, the Banning Police Department and Caltrans initiated a hard closure of Highway 243 near the city limits and Twin Pines. Currently, there are no official reports indicating if any structures are immediately threatened.
