U.S. Forest Service firefighters break a lock on a gate as they prepare to battle a wildfire in Summit Valley, Calif., on Sunday August 7, 2016.
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The fire, which started Sunday between Silverwood Lake and Lake Arrowhead, is burning in two directions, said Capt. Liz Brown, a Cal Fire spokeswoman: north toward Hesperia, and northeast toward a mountain area known as the Pinnacles. The fire started Sunday afternoon and had destroyed almost 5,000 acres by Monday afternoon, authorities said.
Other fires in the state include the Cold fire, which has burned 5,731 acres at the southern tip of Lake Berryessa in Northern California and is 70% contained, and the Goose fire in Fresno County, which has burned 2,241 acres and is 96% contained. The jump could be due to inaccurate estimates. Firefighters were lighting backfires Monday to keep the flames from spreading down into populated areas of Hesperia. The fire died down overnight but was expected to become more active during the day, when winds pick up and temperatures rise.
Ten water-dropping aircraft were attacking the fire Monday.
There are about 400 firefighters on the fire, Poole said.
Fire officials also evacuated areas around Highway 138 and Old Mill Road, and around Highway 138 and State Route 173.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for 25 homes in the Summit Valley area, which is directly south of that stretch of Highway 173.
An American Red Cross Reception and Care Center was set up for displaced residents at Ranchero Middle School, which is located at 17607 Ranchero Rd.in Hesperia. Pet owners can bring animals to the San Bernardino County Devore Animal Shelter.
The Hesperia Unified School District is open Monday, administrators said.
This is a developing story.
U.S. Forest officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Deputies determined they were not shooting at the planes and that the weapons were legal and registered.
Voluntary evacuations are underway for north Lake Arrowhead, from Brentwood east to Highway 173 and from Golf Course Road east to North Bay Road. The 15 Freeway was not threatened.
The dramatic jump Monday morning to 4,500 acres – about 7 square miles – is probably not because the fire tripled in size but because Sunday’s estimates were off, fire officials said.
The fire destroyed one structure and has consumed 5,731 acres.
The fire was burning in timber and brush, the Forest Service said.
11 p.m.: This article was updated with more information about fire acreage and evacuations. A comfortable breeze kept things cool.
“Right now it’s still early pretty calm”, she said.
“It’s probably going to be all summer”, Howard said.
Southern California’s Pilot fire in the San Bernardino Forest burned 4,500 acres within 24 hours.
No one has died or been injured in the fire and no structures are now threatened. “We have pretty much the basics”.
Smoke advisories were issues for the Mojave Desert Area and remain in effect Monday. Schools were instructed to limit time students and staff spent outdoors, provide indoor areas for students at all times and to monitor symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.
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Authorities advised the public to avoid traveling to the Silverwood Lake and Crestline areas because emergency crews need access.
