Sunday updates on Valley, Goleta and other wildfires in Southern California
The Valley fire that started near Forest Falls in the San Bernardino Mountains grew a bit overnight at 1,139 acres burned with 5 percent containment as it entered its third day on Sunday, July 9.
The town remained under mandatory evacuation Sunday, and Highway 38 continued closed, agencies fighting the fire reported.
The blaze broke out at 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon near Forest Falls along Highway 38.
“Crews will be working hard today under very difficult circumstances to establish a line around the fire and increase containment. Very rugged terrain and oppressive heat,” San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said Sunday in a tweet.
It was one of several brush and wild land fires that broke out in Southern California during a triple-digit record-breaking heat wave. The heat was forecast to back off a bit in several areas Monday but Inland areas may stay with 100-plus degree temps through Tuesday.
#ValleyFire Morning Update for 7/8
– 1,139 acres (increase of 139)
-5% contained.
-Hwy 38 closure remains in effect; Forest Falls still under mandatory evacuations.@SBCOUNTYFIRE @sbcountysheriff @YucaipaPD @CALFIREBDU— San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) July 8, 2018
The cause of the Valley fire remained under investigation Sunday. Forest Falls was spared as the fire moved away from the town and east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The fire forced closure of several popular trails, campgrounds and picnic grounds.
No structure losses or injuries were reported. More than 500 firefighting personnel were at the scene.
No rain was forecast for the area Sunday. On Saturday a heavy summer downpour brought flooding and debris flows along Highway 38 and Valley of the Falls Drive.
But the rain did not reach the upper elevations of the fire in any significant amounts, firefighters reported, and it also hampered their efforts as it blocked equipment moving along Highway 38 and impeded aerial firefighting.
Temperatures in the area were forecast to reach the mid-to-upper 80s Sunday.
The fire was one of several that broke out during a triple-digit heat wave that moved through Southern California starting Friday:
Holiday fire: The blaze in Goleta near Santa Barbara was at 100 acres and 80 percent containment Sunday, with full containment forecast for July 11. An updated account Sunday said 10 homes were destroyed, 3 were damaged, and 9 non-residential buildings were destroyed. No injuries were reported. The cause was under investigation for the fire that broke out Friday night. Most evacuations have ended or been downgraded.
Box fire: The fire sparked in the Cajon Pass by a truck fire Friday morning alongside the northbound 15 Freeway lanes at Kenwood Avenue remained at 100 acres and 60 percent contained Sunday. The northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway were re-opened Saturday evening. The freeway shoulder north of Kenwood Avenue remained closed. About 90 firefighters were on the scene to monitor for embers and hot spots.
Camp Pendelton fires: The Marine Corps Base reported Sunday that firefighters were mopping up on three separate fires that broke out on the base and burned a combined 1,600 acres. Evacuations were ordered for housing areas when the fires broke out, but since have been lifted. No injuries or structure damage was reported.
Wildwood fire: Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday evening for 40 homes threatened by the fire that broke out earlier in the day in Burbank’s Wildwood Canyon neighborhood. At last report the fire was 30 percent contained after spreading to 45 acres of brush in steep terrain. No structures were lost and one firefighter suffered heat-related injuries.
Valley fire
Forest Falls: Remains under mandatory evacuation Sunday
Highway 38: Remains closed between from Bryant Street in Yucaipa to Lake Williams Drive south of Big Bear.
Evacuation centers: St. Francis Catholic Church, 12687 California St., Yucaipa. Devore Animal Shelter. 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino is accepting pets from the fire area.
Trail closures: Momyer Trail, Vivian Creek Trail, San Bernardino Peak Trail and Big Falls Picnic Area.
Recreation: Several campgrounds in the area are closed, including Heart Bar and Barton Flats; also several picnic areas, and the Mill Creek Visitor Center. Check the complete online list of Valley fire closures here.
Sunday weather: No rain is forecast. Temperatures in the area were forecast to reach the mid-to-upper 80s.
Map: Go here for a map of the Valley fire