By Ari B. Bloomekatz
Los Angeles Times
FAWNSKIN, Calif. — A fast-moving wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake has scorched at least 18,000 acres and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents in what U.S. Forest Service officials are calling their top priority among blazes across the nation today.
The fire continues to grow as winds reaching 20 mph pushed flames fueled mostly by brush and timber from one dry area in the forest to the next.
At least 500 people were told to evacuate in Fawnskin, near Butler Peak on the north shore of the lake, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller. And a mandatory evacuation was also issued for Green Valley Lake, an area with a population of over 500 which touts itself as the “Hidden Gem” of the San Bernardino Mountains.
The fire, which started Friday about 1:30 p.m. n an area west of Fawnskin, has moved so rapidly that firefighters are unable to get ahead of it.
Officials had hoped winds would die down overnight Friday, allowing them to control the wildfire. Instead, winds picked up.
Between midnight and 6 a.m. this morning, the fire increased by 2 1/2 miles and burned at least 4,000 acres by late morning. By 3:30 p.m. the total had reached 18,000 and was increasing fast.
“When you have wind on brush, it’s a real flashy fuel that allows the fire to spread real quickly,” Miller said. “Right now, this fire is nationally the No. 1 priority. That means if we request a resource we get it.”
Among the resources being used are more than 630 personnel, four helicopters, 15 bulldozers and a large DC-10 aircraft that has been dropping retardant.
“Typically, when you have a wind-driven event, you can’t get ahead of the fire,” Miller said in a telephone interview as the DC-10 flew over his head. “What happened is the winds never stopped.”
No one has been hurt in the fire, Miller said.
In addition to the mandatory evacuations, authorities also recommended voluntary evacuations in Lucerne Valley from Crystal Creek Road on the east to High Road on the west and north to the Pitizer Buttes area, from downtown Running Springs east through Arrowbear, and at the Camp Whittle, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat, Butler Peak Lookout and Yellow Post campgrounds.
California 18 has been closed from Snow Valley to Big Bear Dam. Some nearby campgrounds and trailheads were also shut as rangers braved the smoky terrain Friday and Saturday morning to warn campers of the danger and need to leave.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Jayme Nordine, owner of the Bear Belly Deli on the 42000 block of Moonridge Road, said area residents were worried about the fire only if they lived near the north shore of Big Bear Lake.
“Big Bear Lake is OK and we’re OK because the winds are moving northeast,” Nordine said. “We’re hoping that the wind doesn’t change.”
Farther south, another wildfire was spreading in San Diego County in areas north and east of Julian, a historic mining camp about 40 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
The blaze was ignited about mid-day and grew quickly, burning about 500 acres by 4:15 pm, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention spokesman Matt Streck. Mandatory evacuations for several hundred people were ordered in the communities of Whispering Pines and Wynola, just outside Julian.
Streck said air crews were dropping water and foam on the area while bulldozers cut lines around the blaze to try and control it.
No one has been hurt and about 500 personnel are battling the fire. Officials said they were not yet sure what caused it.
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