June 29 Update: 30,726 acres with 60 percent containment.

Photo Courtesy: SB County Fire

Staff Reports

San Bernardino County – As of June 29, the Lake Fire is reported at 30,726 acres, with 60 percent overall containment.  The cause is still under investigation. The estimated cost to date is $30.2 million and there are four reported injuries.

On the afternoon of June 24, the fire turned and is currently burning south and east of Onyx Summit in a northward fashion.  Unified Command has identified key decision points that may result in evacuations of Lake Williams, Erwin Lake, and Baldwin Lake.  If the Lake Fire reaches the pre-designated trigger points, residents in these areas will be notified to evacuate.

According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, a message has been issued to these lake areas to give residents advance notice in order to prepare for an evacuation – particularly those with livestock that were encouraged to relocate their animals early.  As of 8 a.m. on June 25, the fire was only 1.5 miles from the first trigger point.

The fire has burned down into Little Morongo and Big Morongo canyons, and firefighters have been focusing on the area south of 10,000 Foot Ridge where the fire is in steep, rocky terrain.  The fire is spreading by burning vegetation rolling downhill.

Mandatory evacuations are currently in effect for the Burns Canyon and Rimrock areas; Pioneertown is under voluntary evacuation.  The shelter for evacuees in these areas is located at Copper Mountain College, 6162 Rotary Way.  Small animals for these areas may be taken to the Town of Yucca Valley Animal Shelter, 4755 Malin Way.  Large animals may be taken to the Yucca Valley Equestrian Center, 7429 Avalon Avenue – all in Yucca Valley.  The Red Cross Evacuation Center is located at the Big Bear Community Church, 40946 Big Bear Blvd., in Big Bear.
Closures:  The fire perimeter is currently six air miles from Big Bear, 11 air miles from Pioneertown, and nine air miles from Morongo Valley.  Within this area, all campgrounds and hiking trails, as well as Highway 38; and the Barton Flats area are closed.

The Lake Fire started on June 17, and more than 113 Engines, 54 Crews, 18 Helicopters, 3 Air Tankers, 18 Water Tenders, 10 Bulldozers and 1,922 personnel have been assigned to control and extinguish this massive fire.  While the cause is still under investigation, the cost has been estimated at close to $12 million.  So far there have been four fire-related injuries.
High temperatures and low humidity are making conditions formidable, and fire personnel are under considerable threat as they continue to work around the clock toward 100 percent containment. You can help contribute to their safety by staying away from the risk region, evacuating areas when instructed to do so, and respecting road closures and other emergency warnings.  If you live near the area but out of evacuation danger, make every effort to keep family and pets indoors to avoid inducing respiratory emergencies from skies full of smoke and ash.

If you are in a risk area, stay tuned to local news and radio stations (including KBHR radio 93.3 FM) for additional information, updates and evacuation instructions.  There is also information available by calling (909) 383-5688, or visit inciweb.nwcg.gov (Lake Fire); https://twitter.com/sbcountysheriff; https://twitter.com/SBCOUNTYFIRE.