He stated that the combination of “firefighters, dozers and hand crews working the ground with excellent support of fixed wing air tankers and helicopters overhead, that significantly reduced the threat of the Lake Fire moving into Big Bear Valley”. The lightning-caused blaze was smoldering, mostly in the wilderness.
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Meanwhile, a 100-acre fire outside the city of San Bernardino was 95 percent contained.
“They don’t want them out there on those exposed ridges and stuff with lightning”, Beyer said.
A concern at the Lake Fire Sunday was the possibility of mudflows. All evacuation orders, including Burns Canyon, have been lifted, she added.
The huge San Bernardino wildfire dubbed “Lake Fire” is showing signs of containment after burning for well over 11 days and destroying several thousand acres of property. Officials said despite the high winds, natural barriers north of the Natomas community kept the fire from spreading.
The blaze, which erupted on June 17, was 50 percent contained after scorching 48 square miles of desert brush and forest timber.
“Due to the conditions we are experiencing this year, it is critical that we are prepared for any possible outcome from this (atmospheric) event”, Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott said.
This fuel mix includes both the dead trees of the bark beetle’s voracious invasion and dead stands of chaparral and chamise.
On Saturday, authorities reopened Highway 38 and ended mandatory evacuations for most of the areas that were threatened.
It also created the potential for heavy rains and flooding in the burned areas, authorities said.
In Napa County, the Pleasure Fire, a 19-acre blaze near the southern shore of Lake Berryessa, was 80 percent contained Sunday morning, according to Capt. Emily Smith.
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On Friday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency, to gain access to state and federal funds if structures are damaged. The cost of fighting the fire has reached $30.2 million.
