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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.
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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
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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
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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
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