The Lake Fire burning in the San Bernardino Mountains for nearly two weeks now has grown more than 600 acres from yesterday. The fire has burned 31,359 acres , and remains 60% contained. The U.S. forest Service reports the increase in acreage was due a large island of unburned area in the Fish Creek/Saddle Lake Peak Area. Very little perimeter growth was reported yesterday and overnight (Monday/Tuesday). Firefighters will continue to hold gained ground, mop up, improve existing containment lines, as well as direct new containment line construction and provide structure protection.
As kvcrnews.org reported over the weekend, Highway 38 was reopened to public traffic Saturday morning. On Sunday, the last evacuation order was lifted -- in the Burns Canyon area near the northeastern perimeter. That means that all evacuation orders have been lifted. The Forest Service says all Forest Service lands within the affected fire area remain closed for recreation purposes.
Also , the Forest Service says it will no longer provide multiple updates per day; as of yesterday (Monday), officials will release one Lake Fire update per day.
The Forest Service reports nearly 2,300 firefighters are still deployed, up from around 1,900 last week. 4 firefighters have been reported injured since the incident began June 17. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The cost of the fire has now exceeded $30-million. One structure and three outbuildings have been destroyed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Forest Service issued the following information update Monday night at 8:00pm:
Current Fire Situation
Precipitation on the fire today had minimal effect on firefighting efforts. Crews working on the north side of the fire retreated temporarily while the thunderstorm passed, returned to the area, and continued constructing line. Work in the Three Sisters Peaks area continued as planned as the firefighters secured the line in heavy fuels and steep terrain. Larger dead and down fuels in the San Gorgonio Wilderness are still retaining significant heat.
Tonight firefighters will camp out on the eastern fire line to eliminate travel to and from camp. Early access to the area will allow the firefighters to complete the control line in that area sooner.
The damage assessment team reported the loss of a residence and three out buildings in the Burns Canyon area. The team will continue to evaluate the fire area for further damage.
Weather & Fire Behavior
Scattered rain showers were present over the fire area today, bringing up to a tenth of an inch of rain on some parts of the fire. Incident meteorologists predict a 10 percent chance for wetting rainfall overnight and the possibility of scattered thunderstorms. Gusty and erratic winds are possible with any storm.
The rain and increase in relative humidity had only a slight effect on fire behavior. Light fuels, such as grasses, have responded to the increase in relative humidity and precipitation; however, the precipitation has little effect on the larger dead and down timber. Pockets of fuel continue to burn especially in areas that did not burn in the 2006 Sawtooth and Millard Fire.
Special Notice
State Route 38 is open to through traffic. Motorists may observe suppression repair crews and movement of heavy equipment along the highway. Please be alert while traveling on State Route 38 and yield the right-of- way to emergency personnel and vehicles.
Evacuations
As a result of the efforts on the fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff, in conjunction with unified command, has lifted the evacuation order for Burns Canyon residents. At this time there are no evacuation orders in effect in connection with the Lake Fire.
For detailed information, please visit the following websites: http://cms.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/MediaCenter/SheriffPressReleases.aspx http://caltrans8.info
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/(Lake Fire)
