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Public Safety

Banner Fire 90 Percent Contained

Firefighters east of Julian hope to have wildfire that has burned more than 5,321 acres surrounded sometime today.

The blaze, which started in the Cigarette Hills Thursday, grew quickly due to the strong winds blowing that afternoon.

As of last night, the fire was about 90 percent contained, or surrounded by fire lines, according to a Cal Fire spokesperson, who projected the fire would be totally out sometime Wednesday.

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So far, no structures have burned, though some precautionary evacuations orders were issued for residents of a mobile home park Thursday evening.

Seven water-dropping helicopters were being used to quench the flames. More than 900 firefighters have been working to cut defensible fire lines. The cause, if known, has not been disclosed.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.