Banner Fire Is 90% Contained

The Banner Fire was 90 percent contained today, but it has claimed two houses and Julian's Fourth of July parade, firefighters said.

The blaze erupted shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday off State Route 78 in the rural Banner Grade area, Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser said.

The fire destroyed two homes and an outbuilding, forced the evacuations of about 200 homes and forced the cancellation of the Julian Fourth of July Parade.

The morning assessment noted 217 burned acres. The sunrise 90 percent containment estimate was up from the 70 percent figure estimated at 6:30 p.m. Friday.