El Dorado Fire: Blaze Burns More Than 12,000 Acres. Mandatory Evacuations Ordered

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The El Dorado Fire burning in the San Bernardino National Forest continues to grow, with mandatory evacuation orders now in place for several communities. As of late tonight, fire officials said they were working "to create defensible space between homes and the current fire perimeter" in an area along Oak Glen Road, and in other spots south of Highway 38 and east toward Forest Falls.

Evacuations were made more complicated this afternoon when the fire jumped over the Highway 38. That prompted one account closely monitoring fire officials response to advise residents to "get out now."

Firefighters said tonight that they'd successfully defended some homes:

Here's what we know about the blaze so far today.

THE BASICS

• Acreage: 12,474 acres
• Containment: 18%
• Resources deployed: 977 firefighters

The El Dorado Fire began on Saturday with a bang – literally – when a firework from a gender reveal party in Yucaipa ignited a blaze that has threatened thousands of homes and caused the mandatory evacuation of 21,000 residents.

Air quality warnings have been extended to Thursday, Sept. 10.

EVACUATIONS

On Wednesday afternoon, Yucaipa PD announced an immediate evacuation order for Angelus Oaks and the community of Seven Oaks. Evacuees were asked to exit the area via Highway 38 toward Big Bear.

They followed up with more orders:

On Tuesday, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials advised anyone needing "additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now."

Mandatory:

• Areas east of Bryant from Carter South to Yucaipa Boulevard, then east on Yucaipa Boulevard at Bryant intersection to Freemont Street, then south to Grande View Drive, then along Ave E southeast to the intersection of Mesa Grande, east to Wildwood Canyon Road to include all portions of Hidden Meadows, and east to Edgar Canyon Road
• The portion of the Cherry Valley Community that is north of Orchard Street to the County Line, and east of Nancy Avenue and west of Beaumont Avenue
• Oak Glen (partial, see road closures), Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls and North Bench Yucaipa (north of Carter Street to Highway 38 and both sides of Bryant Street east & west)
• Angelus Oaks and the community of Seven Oaks
• All areas between Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit
• North of Valley of the Falls Drive along Highway 38 to Onyx Summit, including the Angelus Oak, 7 Oaks and Jenks Lake Area. Officials advise: "You must drive North to Big Bear, CA as Highway 38 is impacted by fire. Rock slides are also being reported along Highway 38 where the fire has loosened rocks."

Voluntary:

• East of Beaumont Avenue east to Hillside Place in the Highland Springs area, north to Cherry Valley Boulevard to the County Line Road.

EVACUATION CENTER

• Cafeteria of the Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave. Redlands
  

ROAD CLOSURES

• Highway 38 between Bryant Street in Yucaipa and the community of Angelus Oaks
• Eastbound Oak Glen Road at Bryant Street
• Wildwood Canyon Road at Casablanca
• Eastbound Topaz Street at Bryant
• Juniper Avenue at Bryant
• Carter Street at Bryant
• Fir at Bryant
• Ivy at Bryant
• Northbound Fremont Street at Oak Glen Road
• Eastbound Oak Glen Road at northbound Cherry Croft
• Eastbound Oak Glen Road at Casablanca
• Lower Potato Canyon at Oak Glen Road
• Eastbound Oak Glen Road at Wildwood Canyon Road
• Wildwood Canyon Road at Mesa Grande
• Pendelton at Oak Glen Road

CAUSE

The family behind the gener reveal party tried to put out the fire and called 911, but it was too late. They have cooperated with authorities, but Cal Fire spokesperson Captain Bennett Malloy says it's possible they could face misdemeanor charges:

A RECORD FIRE SEASON

If it feels like the fires are worse this year, it's because they are.

According to Cal Fire, more acres in the state have burned in 2020, than any other year in over the past three decades (since statewide figures have been tracked).

And we have three more months to go.

Courtesy CalFire

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HOW WE’RE REPORTING ON THIS

This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and/or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

For the latest information straight from local emergency officials, check the following websites and social media accounts:

• San Bernardino National Forest Twitter account
• El Dorado Fire incident page

FIRE RESOURCES

• Every Day Is Fire Season. Here's How Angelenos Can Prepare Right Now
• How To Find Out About Fire Evacuations In Your Area
• How To Keep Yourself Safe From Wildfire Smoke
• The Air Is Brown — Should I Wear A Mask?
• This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home
• What Does 'Containment' Of A Fire Mean, Exactly?
• What Does A 'Red Flag Warning' Mean, Exactly?
• What To Do — And Not Do — When You Get Home After A Wildfire
• How To Avoid Getting Towed During LA's Red Flag Parking Restrictions
• If You Want To Help Fire Victims, Resist The Urge To Volunteer

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