Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: The Fire Devastating The San Bernardino National Forest
A massive wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest has spread to about 11,000 acres since it first erupted on Wednesday.
The L.A. Times reports that this blaze, dubbed the "Lake Fire," is the largest we've seen this year on a California forestland. Some said the plumes of smoke could be seen as far as Murrieta, which is more than 70 miles southwest from the San Bernardino National Forest, according to the Sun. The fire was first reported around 3:52 p.m. on Wednesday near Highway 38 and Jenks Lake Road. While it started off as a moderate fire, hitting 100 acres in the first seven hours, it rapidly picked up due to winds early Thursday morning. By Friday morning, it was reported that the fire spread to about 11,000 acres.
According to a government website, 10% of the fire has been contained as of this morning. While there aren't any buildings that have been destroyed or damaged, there are about 150 structures that are threatened in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, the Times reports. More than 175 people were evacuated from nearby campgrounds.
Stanley Reese, a 74-year-old man from Dana Point, was on a backpacking trip through the forestland, and alerted authorities Thursday afternoon that he needed help getting out of the area. They airlifted him out and he's now safe with his family.
Support for LAist comes from
There are over 1,200 personnel working together to put out the fire, with helicopters and an air tanker being utilized in the efforts.
Currently, Highway 38 is closed from the east side of Angelus Oaks to Lake Williams, as well as hiking trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.
Authorities are investigating what caused the fire.
Here are photos and video of the fire:
FIRE IN THE SKY!! 7500 acres scorched from the Lake Fire in San Bernardino National Forest http://t.co/bZBliwLAy2 pic.twitter.com/USDN162f0Q
— Coachella Valley (@AnInsidersGuide) June 18, 2015
Safety to those fighting the Lake Fire in San Bernardino National Forest, CA. Photo courtesy http://t.co/Ei7xNg0c4j pic.twitter.com/1NwE7wOIB5
— Thunder Adventure Co (@ThunderAdventur) June 18, 2015
Support for LAist comes from
Lake fire grows to 1,500 acres in San Bernardino National Forest. @GinaFerazzi with crews near near Barton Flats pic.twitter.com/SsQAns6umS
— Marc Martin (@latpix) June 18, 2015
Wind-driven #LakeFire near Big Bear jumps to 7,500 acres; see gallery http://t.co/HuacljnUt3 photo by @GinaFerazzi pic.twitter.com/4k640lD7ue
— Robert St. John (@RStjohn_latimes) June 19, 2015
Officials say Lake Fire could burn for several weeks http://t.co/N8YsPxOJaO pic.twitter.com/rYiKZLQhuv
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 18, 2015
Twilight view of San Bernadino Lake Fire, from the Coachella Valley pic.twitter.com/hzpR8Ti15R
— JoulesVintage (@JoulesVintage) June 19, 2015
Support for LAist comes from
Wind-driven Lake fire near Big Bear jumps to 7,500 acres; 74-year-old hiker… http://t.co/MT4zWEQle3 #california pic.twitter.com/OQNILxvMd8
— SLO News (@slonews) June 19, 2015
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist