RAIN ON MOUNTAIN FIRE, EVACS LIFTED: Full Containment Expected Friday

For Monday July 22 updates on the Mountain Fire click here.

Update 8:31 p.m. Hazards for fire crews remain in Mountain Fire burned areas due to flash flooding and mudslides, a Forest Service spokesman said Sunday evening.

"The threat of thunderstorms and flash flooding will continue tonight," John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest said. "Due to severe weather conditions, firefighters will patrol the fire monitoring hotspots and flare-ups."

The estimated cost of fighting the Mountain Fire as of Sunday evening was $20.1 million.

Update 7:54 p.m. Rain on the 42-square-mile Mountain Fire allowed residents to return home Sunday and it contributed to crews and incident commanders declaring the burned area 68 percent contained by sundown July 21.

A total of 1,861 personnel remained assigned to the fire Sunday evening.

"Significant rainfall over the incident occurred today, with the additional threat of thunderstorms and flash floods through tomorrow," incident commanders said in an update before 8 p.m. Sunday.

Evacuation centers in Beaumont, Hemet and Anza were expected to close by 8 p.m. July 21. Any residents in need of additional assistance were advised to call the American Red Cross at (855) 891-7325.

Update 2:31 p.m. Full containment of the 42-square-mile Mountain Fire burned area is expected by Friday July 26, according to the Forest Service.

Posted 10:44 a.m. Evacuation orders for Idyllwild and Fern Valley were lifted Sunday morning, and the evacuation warning for Pine Cove was rescinded, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Here's part of a statement from the Sheriff's Department this morning:

"The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, in cooperation with the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department/OES and Idyllwild Fire Protection District, is lifting the Evacuation Order for the communities of Idyllwild and Fern Valley, and rescinding the Evacuation Warning for Pine Cove as of 11:00 AM today. Only local residents and business owners in these affected areas will be allowed to repopulate. No visitors will be allowed into the area until after 11:00 PM."

Thunderstorms brought 1.5 inches of rain near the Mountain Fire's active north and northwest edges early Sunday and fire crews continued building containment lines on the east edge above Palm Springs, according to a Forest Service update.

The Mountain Fire burned area remained estimated at 27,245 acres - more than 42 square miles - and it was considered 49 percent contained.

Personnel assigned to the fire was reduced overnight to 2,678, as the cost to date rose to $19.9 million.

The early morning rain was measured at the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, where firefighters will be "constructing direct hand line at the fire's edge to reduce the threat to Idyllwild and surrounding communities," USFS spokesman John Miller said in an update distributed at 6 a.m. July 21.

"Although conditions were hazardous and some crews were taken off the line due to the severe weather, firefighters continue to fight the fire aggressively where possible," Miller said.

Rain is forecast to continue Sunday with a 70 percent chance of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

"Thunderstorms could bring strong downdraft winds and lightning," Miller said. "A flash flood watch is in place and firefighters remain alert to the changing weather conditions."

The Mountain Fire has destroyed a total of 23 structures, including 7 residences during the first day of the fire, Monday July 15. Ignition of the fire near Highway 243 and SR 74 in Mountain Center was "human caused," according to the Forest Service.

Whether it was accidental or intentional remained under investigation.

For previous Patch coverage of the Mountain Fire click the following links:

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Weather Aids Fire Crews, Blaze Estimated 49 Percent Contained, Cost $18.4M

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Burns 42 Square Miles, 3,400+ Personnel, Evacuation Warning for Pine Cove

'UNUSUAL FIRE BEHAVIOR': Mountain Fire Incident Commander Discusses Fire Weather, Evac Orders

Palm Desert's Assemblyman Asks Governor to Declare State of Emergency

Mountain Fire Local Impact Map by ESRI of Redlands

MOUNTAIN FIRE: Some Residents Stay, but Most of Idyllwild is 'Ghost Town'

VIDEO: Idyllwild Fire Chief Discusses Evacuations, Mountain Fire Threat

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now 19,400 Acres, 4,100 Homes Threatened, Evac Orders for Idyllwild, Fern Valley

Beaumont High School Transformed Into Emergency Shelter for Fire Evacuees

MOUNTAIN FIRE PHOTOS: Property Damage, Watershed Damage, Firefighters, Pilots

MOUNTAIN FIRE: Now 9,000 Acres Burned, 2,200+ Personnel, 21 Structures Destroyed

MOUNTAIN FIRE UPDATE: Blaze Now Est. 2,400 Acres, Structure Damage Reported, Mandatory Evacs at Bonita Vista, Fleming Ranch, Animal Sanctuary