LAKE FIRE IN SAN BERNADINO COUNTY ENGULFS 10,000 ACRES

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Update June 20, 2015:  This fire has scorched over 16,500 acres and is 15% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 29 Palms Fire Department

June 18, 2015 (San Bernadino) – If you're seeing smoke from northeast San Diego County, you're likely viewing the Lake Fire. Over 1,200 firefighters are battling the Lake Fire along the northern boundary of the San Gorgonio Wilderness in San Bernadino National Forest. The firestorm has drawn numerous resources including 88 fire engines, 2 air tankers, 10 helicopters and 28 fire crews—meaning mutual support could be spread thin should fires break out in other regions.

The blaze is only 5 percent contained as of this evening and has forced numerous evacuations as well as relocation of Big Bear High School’s graduation ceremony.

Highway 38 is closed from Angelus Oaks to Lake Williams. Jenks Lake Road is closed.

Evacuations include: Areas east of Angelus Oaks including: Barton Flats, Seven Oaks, Rainbow Lane, Heart Bar, and all cabins and campgrounds in the South Fork area. The American Red Cross has a standby location to address any future sheltering or evacuation center needs.

All Hiking Trails into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area have been closed due to the proximity of the fire to them. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from Whitewater Preserve to Onyx Summit.

Fire management is under Unified Command with San Bernardino County Fire and San Bernardino County Sheriff. Southern California Team 1, a Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team, has taken over managing the fire.

A high-pressure weather system is in place with above normal temperatures over the next several days and very low daytime humidity (5-10%) and poor overnight humidity recovery.

Fire information is available at:

San Bernardino National Forest Call Center: (909) 383-5688 or online inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4302

Also see #lakefire on Twitter.


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