Riverside firefighters battle multiple fires; residents urged to flee

The Wolf fire’s rapid expansion to over 1,100 acres amid dry, shifting winds underscored the volatility faced by firefighters. Roughly 750 residents were ordered to evacuate as the blaze consumed brush near Old Banning Idyllwild Road, with containment stalled at 10%. Deployment of four night-flying helicopters and plans for morning fixed-wing aircraft to deploy fire retardant highlighted ongoing efforts to slow the fire’s advance. The scale of resources mobilized reflected both the complexity of terrain and unpredictability of weather, presenting a severe challenge as authorities prepare for renewed firefighting operations at first light.