The Apple Fire continued to rage Wednesday in the mountains within the San Bernardino National Forest as firefighters worked to increase containment of the blaze, which has blackened 27,319 acres, destroyed 12 structures and was 30% contained.
Fire officials are estimating the blaze could be fully contained as soon as Aug. 17, according to Kate Kramer of the U.S. Forest Service. Of the 12 structures destroyed by the flames, four were homes, and the rest were outbuildings, officials said.
The head of the Apple Fire is on a mountainside in San Bernardino County, according to the USFS. Two Cal Fire air tankers and 12 water-dropping helicopters were working to establish containment boundaries, as more than 2,500 personnel on the ground gradually attempted to encircle the brusher.