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Sheep Fire: 3,500 Acres, 10% Contained; New Mandatory Evacuations
View Sheep Fire in a larger map
The Sheep Fire broke out around 2:30 yesterday afternoon in the San Gabriel Mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest and continues to burn between Lytle Creek and Lone Pine Canyons. The blaze has now grown to 3,500 acres and is reported as being 10% contained, with about 1,000 personnel working to control the fire, according to InciWeb.
Evacuation orders were issued for Lytle Creek (Applewhite Campground, Applewhite Picnic Area, and areas east of Lytle Creek Road up to and including Mountain Lakes RV Park), Swarthout Canyon, Lone Pine Canyon, and areas along Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hess Rd, and this morning all of Wrightwood has been placed on mandatory evacuation orders as well. "The CHP reports state Route 2 east of Wrightwood has now been closed due to the Sheep Fire," notes abc7's Twitter feed. There are evacuation centers in place at Eisenhower High School in Rialto and at Victorville Fairgrounds. "Small animals can be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. Large and small animals may be taken to the Victorville Fairgrounds. Glen Helen Rodeo grounds was taking large animals but is now full."
The fire is moving north to northwest, and its rate of growth is considered "extreme," as is the terrain upon which it is burning. The cause of the Sheep Fire remains under investigation.
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