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El Dorado Fire: More Than 11,000 Acres Burned; Containment At 16%
Smoke from the El Dorado Fire that started Sept. 5, 2020 in San Bernardino National Forest. (Zach Behrens/Courtesy of US Forest Service)
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This post is no longer being updated. Get our latest news reporting on the El Dorado Fire>>
Jump to: Basics | Evacuations | Closures | Additional Resources | Cause
Firefighters made "good progress" on the El Dorado Fire Monday, according to fire officials, as they worked to divert the fire's path away from homes in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Here's what we know about the blaze so far today.
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THE BASICS
- Acreage: 11,259 acres
- Containment: 19%
- Resources deployed: 719 total personnel, including nine hand crews, 75 engines, four helicopters, four fixed-wing aircraft, seven dozers and nine water tenders
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 grown to more than 10,500 acres, threatening thousands of homes and causing the mandatory evacuation of 21,000 residents.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke advisory through this evening due to both the El Dorado and Bobcat fires.
EVACUATIONS
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)
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
- NOTE: This center moved from it's initial location: Yucaipa Community Center, 34900 Oak Glen Rd., Yucaipa
ROAD CLOSURES
- Highway 38 at Bryant Street in Yucaipa and the community of Angelus Oaks
- Bryant Street between Hwy 38 and Carter Street
- Oak Glen Road between Pine Bench Road and Cherry Croft Drive
- Cross Streets east of Bryant Street between Yucaipa Boulevard and Carter Street
- There is a "soft closure" on Highway 38 at Lake Williams Dr. (south of Big Bear) to warn drivers of the closure in Angelus Oaks
CAUSE
The fire was started Saturday by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party in Yucaipa. The family behind the party tried to put out the fire, called 911 and cooperated with authorities.
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Cal Fire spokesperson Captain Bennett Malloy says while investigators are still looking into the specifics, the family could face misdemeanor charges:
"Some of the laws they could have broken: a public resource code where you cause a fire on somebody else's land, or, in California under a penal code, there's provisions for what's called recklessly causing a fire. And that may be the case with this fire, but that would be up to the district attorney to determine."
HOW WE’RE REPORTING ON THIS
Jacob Margolis and Emily Guerin, both veterans of past fire coverage, are reporting on this fire. Lita Martinez has been making additional calls. Brian Frank and Ryan Fonseca have been helming the LAist story.
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.
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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