Firefighters have been making good progress containing the Holcomb Fire, burning northeast of Big Bear Lake, but with above-normal high temperatures and an excessive heat advisory continuing through the weekend, firefighters will continue to have their work cut out for them. The following short audio report from KVCR's Ken Vincent and the information you can read below are from the Unified Incident Command's update at 9:30 Friday morning, which is the latest information as of 1:30pm Friday.
INFORMATION AS OF 9:30am FRIDAY, JUNE 23 FROM https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5256/
Holcomb Fire Morning Update
SAN BERNARDINO, California, June 23, 2017 – Hard work and continued progress by firefighters with the aid of cooler temperatures overnight helped maintain fire size at 1,562 acres and increase containment to 65% on the Holcomb Fire. The highest priority is to protect the safety of fire personnel and to protect human life followed by the protection of private property and structures.
Over 1,200 firefighters from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, San Bernardino County, CAL FIRE, Big Bear Fire and other local agencies are working to contain the fire. Southern California Incident Management Team 2 continues to be in control of the fire with David Kelly serving as Incident Commander.
Weather forecasts indicate heat will continue through the weekend. Visible smoke may linger in the high desert. The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District has issued a health advisory near Phelan. More information is available here: http://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov
Highway 18 opened this morning at 6 a.m. between the Mitsubishi Cement Plant and Delta Avenue near Baldwin Lake. Please be aware of fire equipment and personnel on Hwy 18. If you are traveling in this vicinity, please reduce speed for public and firefighter safety. Access to Jacoby Canyon (3N61) is closed from Hwy 18 to Holcomb Valley Road (3N16). In addition, forest roads including Van Dusen Canyon (3N09) and Holcomb Valley Road East (3N16) remain closed, as well as a section of the popular Pacific Crest Trail between Hwy 18 and Van Dusen Canyon Roads.
Given the critically dry and receptive fuel types, residents and visitors should continue to be aware of fire conditions and be prepared if changes or new fire threatens the community.
For more information, please visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/, call us at 909-383-5688 or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SanBernardinoNF.
Quick Fire Facts Fire Start Date: June 19, 2017 Fire Report Time: 3:05pm Location: (geographic location) Northeast of Big Bear City, CA Acres: 1,562 and 65% Contained Fire Cause: Under Investigation Fire Fighters Assigned: 1,236 Fire Engines: 104 Fire Crews: 25 Fire Dozers: 6
Helicopters: 7 Air Tankers: 1 Air Attack: 2 Water Tenders: 10 Road Closures: Jacoby Cyn (3N61), Van Dusen Cyn (3N09) and Holcomb Valley Road East (3N16) Evacuations: None Weather: Continued high temps, low humidity and light winds Terrain: Mountainous and steep Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Land Management, Big Bear Fire, San Bernardino Country Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and CAL FIRE BDU.
