2020

COVID-19 Notifications Now Available

California has rolled out COVID-19 Exposure Notifications to Android and iOS devices. These notifications are anonymous, and do not track or store your name, contact information, whereabouts, or movements.

When a person tests positive for COVID-19, CA Notify will trigger an alert to the phones of people who may have been in close proximity — within 6 feet of that individual for 15 minutes or more — in the past 14 days.

For the safety of yourself and others, please opt in to the notifications by following the steps below:

iPhone
iPhone users can enable CA Notify in their device’s settings

1. Update your iOS to version 13.7 or later
2. Go into Settings
3. Scroll down to Exposure Notifications
4. Turn on Exposure Notifications
5. Select United States> California

Android
CA Notify is available on the Google Play Store:

CA Notify – Apps on Google Play

COVID-19 Notifications Now Available Read More »

New Mega Gas Station Coming to Morongo Indian Reservation

Like the tribe’s existing travel center, the new state-of-the-art location will feature discount fuel and popular amenities.

CABAZON, CA – The ultimate Interstate 10 pit stop is about to get better. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians broke ground last week on a second Morongo Travel Center, complete with a 32-pump discount gas station, dog park, car wash, slot machines, convenience store and other amenities.

Located behind Morongo’s existing travel center off Morongo Trail and Seminole Drive, the 6.7-acre project will also offer multiple electric vehicle charging stations (including eight Tesla superchargers), RV dumping, propane fills, six high-speed diesel truck pumps and diesel exhaust fluid.

“This state-of-the-art center will have everything a weary traveler could ask for – and then some,” said Tribal Chairman Robert Martin of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. “It will complement and ease wait times at our current Morongo Travel Center, which is immensely popular and will remain open.” 

Known for low-cost gasoline, sparkling amenities, and nearby restaurants, the 24-hour Morongo Travel Center has been a beacon for freeway motorists and local residents for years. The new center is expected to open next May and is being built Moorefield Construction, Inc.

The project marks the latest addition to Morongo’s master-planned development of retail, hospitality, and service offerings along Interstate 10 in Cabazon. In recent years, Morongo has also welcomed such favorites as In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Cold Stone Creamery, Panda Express and a new flagship store for Hadley Fruit Orchards.

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Apple Fire Update for Morongo Reservation Areas

UPDATE 8/7/2020 12:00 PM: 

USFS is performing a controlled burns around the area causing more smoke, there is no need for concern.  No evacuation orders are planned at this time.

UPDATE 8/4/2020 4:00 PM: 

The Apple Fire evacuation orders have been lifted for both the Morongo Reservation, which includes areas west of Potrero Road and north of Morongo Road, and the City of Banning, which includes the areas north of Wilson between Sunset and Hathaway.

All areas north of Morongo Road east of Potrero Road and west of Whitewater Canyon on the Morongo Reservation remain under an evacuation warning.

The Apple Fire continues to be very active in Millard Canyon and Wood Canyon.

Please be aware that the canyons remain closed to members and residents as heavy equipment is operating in these areas as part of the firefighting effort. You may also notice many fire trucks and other heavy equipment on Morongo, Millard, Potrero and Verdugo as well as firefighters on foot in many of these areas. Please use extreme caution while driving and walking on the Reservation to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The Tribal Administration Building will reopen beginning tomorrow, August 5th at 8:00 am.

Morongo Reservation Updates Provided On:
Morongo Tribal Member One-Call
Morongo Emergency Service Radio Station 89.1 FM  

Apple Fire Update for Morongo Reservation Areas Read More »

Coronavirus (COVID‐19) Update

In response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has taken a number of proactive steps to best protect the health, safety and well‐being of our Tribal Members, employees, guests, and our neighbors in surrounding communities.

We had to temporarily close several Tribal business enterprises, including the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Casino Morongo, Canyon Lanes Bowling Alley and Hadley Fruit Orchards, but have slowly been able to get them back open with all the necessary precautions.

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Casino Morongo, Canyon Lanes Bowling Alley, Tukwet Canyon Golf and Hadley Fruit Orchards are now all back in business as of May 22, 2020.

The Morongo Tribal Council remains fully focused on this issue and is working with federal, state, local and tribal organizations in a unified response to this national public health emergency. We are doing everything we can to address the needs of our tribal community and our region, and we remain in close contact with health and public safety officials.

Below please find links to useful information:

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tips on how to stay healthy, how to the prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and what to what to do if you think you are sick: Click here
  • Recommendations for coping with the stress brought on by the outbreak: Click here
  • The latest updates from the County of Riverside: Click here

Coronavirus (COVID‐19) Update Read More »

Morongo Unveils New State-of-the-Art Fire Engine to Protect Public

Members of the Morongo Tribal Council and Morongo Fire Department recently welcomed a new state-of-the-art fire engine to the reservation.
Members of the Morongo Tribal Council and Morongo Fire Department recently welcomed a new state-of-the-art fire engine to the reservation.

The new Morongo Fire Engine, believed to be the first in Riverside County designed to carry two types of firefighting foam, will help firefighters respond to incidents on the reservation and across the region.

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION – TheMorongo Band of Mission Indians recently welcomed a new, custom-built KME fire engine packed with the latest computer and firefighting technology to further the Morongo Fire Department’s ability to protect life and property during emergencies on the reservation, across Riverside County and beyond.

The new Morongo fire engine is believed to be the first in Riverside County with a dual pre-plumbed foam system able to carry 20 gallons of standard Class A foam for fighting ordinary fires as well as another 20 gallons of Class B foam for dousing fires involving gasoline or diesel fuel.

“Protecting public safety is very important to Morongo, both on our reservation and in communities all across Riverside County,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “With its innovative technology and heightened capabilities, our new Morongo fire engine will help ensure our firefighters are best equipped to protect the lives and property of our tribal members, employees, guests and neighbors.”

Morongo Fire Department Chief Kevin Gaines and the new Morongo Fire Engine.
Morongo Fire Department Chief Kevin Gaines and the new Morongo Fire Engine.

The new fire engine is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,000-gallons-per minute (GPM) master stream, and a 1,500-GPM two-stage pump capable of propelling water at high pressure or in high volumes. Advanced technology will help protect firefighters and the public, such as automatically applying brakes to specific axles as needed to prevent skidding as the rig responds to emergencies.

The fire engine also features color-coded fire hoses and corresponding colored LED-equipped gauges and controls to help firefighters easily monitor water and foam tank levels from a far greater distance for maximum efficiency.

Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin and Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines hold a plaque before the new Morongo Fire Engine.
Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin and Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines hold a plaque before the new Morongo Fire Engine.

“Our department is extremely grateful to work with such a forward-thinking Tribal Council that continues to be deeply committed to public safety,” said Morongo Fire Chief Kevin Gaines. “Providing our firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment and training allows us to provide the best possible service to those in need during a crisis.” The Morongo Fire Department responds to emergencies on the Morongo Indian Reservation, in neighboring cities across the San Gorgonio Pass and all across the state. In recent years, Morongo firefighters helped battle dozens of devastating wildfires, from the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, to the 96,000-acre Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles County and the 230,000-acre Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties.

Morongo Unveils New State-of-the-Art Fire Engine to Protect Public Read More »