Sheep Fire Containment Now at 85%, Higher Temperatures Expected to Make a Return

The fire area shown in red

Amid cooler weather, firefighters continued to increase containment on the 7,128-acre Sheep Fire today. However, the low-pressure system that brought record lows to Southern California this week is moving out, which will increase temperatures starting tomorrow. Containment, currently at 85 percent, is still expected by Saturday, according to officials tonight.

The blaze began Saturday afternoon in a portion of the San Bernardino National Forest on the San Gabriel Mountains and quickly prompted the evacuation of some 6,000 to 8,000 people. All mandatory evacuations were lifted today, but a few local roads remained closed in addition to a large closure, spanning the mountain range, of the Pacific Crest Trail.