By Melissa Pinion-Whitt
San Bernardino County Sun
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS, Calif. — Nearly 2,000 firefighters continued battling the Slide Fire this morning, containing 90 percent of the blaze and trying to douse hot spots before any high winds return to the area.
The blaze, which had destroyed more than 200 structures since it ignited a week ago, held at 12,789 acres. While firefighters had surrounded nearly all of the blaze, about 2,500 homes remained threatened within its perimeter, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Gwen Shaffer.
Crews armed with chainsaws moved into burned areas to remove what they call "widow makers" or trees that are expected to break. Twenty-two bulldozers and seven helicopters will be used in battling the blaze. Shaffer said 1,964 firefighters were still assigned to the fire.
"They're going to be looking to put out hot spots because of the winds," Shaffer said.
No Santa Ana winds are expected in the next few days, according to the National Weather Service, but firefighters will be dealing with 30 mph gusts today in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Mandatory evacuations had been lifted for most of Arrowhead, although the Grass Valley area is still closed to residents and the public.
The Grass Valley Fire was 95 percent contained and 1,247 acres. Two hundred homes remain threatened, but no more were damaged last night, Shaffer said.
The blaze has destroyed 174 homes and two outbuildings. More than 450 firefighters planned to focus on hot spots and the removal of dead trees today.
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