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El Dorado Fire: More Than 13,000 Acres Burned, Containment Now At 31%
This post is no longer being updated. Follow our latest coverage of the El Dorado Fire for Friday, Sept. 11>>
Jump to: Basics | Evacuations | Evacuation Centers | Closures | Additional Resources | Cause
The El Dorado Fire continues to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, though some evacuations have been lifted.
Here's what we know about the fire so far today, starting with a late afternoon recap of firefighting efforts from Operation Section Chief Daniel Diaz:
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THE BASICS
- Acreage: 13,592 acres
- Containment: 31%
- Resources deployed: 1,244 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 tens of thousands of residents.
Air quality warnings have been extended to Friday.
EVACUATIONS
Riverside County
All evacuation warnings and orders were lifted Thursday afternoon, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
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San Bernardino County
An interactive map is available here.
Kate Kramer, a spokesperson with Cal Fire, said it's important that residents in those evacuation zones act fast and stay alert so firefighters can focus on the flames, not residents who didn't leave when they should have.
"We need people to stay evacuated if they've been asked to evacuate. And we need people that are on advisory — evacuation warning — if you have large animals, you should get them out now. When it goes to an order, that's not the time. So we just need people to stay vigilant. This is a pretty active, dynamic fire... we need people to listen, and and be out of our way. We're all struggling for firefighter resources across the state. We've got some here, but we need for them to stay focused on the fire and not on managing people. So we really appreciate that."
- For the Yucaipa Area: Areas West of Bryant, North of Carter, East of Jeffreys / Cherry Croft between Carter and Oak Glen Road, then North of Oak Glen Road from Chery Croft to Canyon, then East of Canyon Drive from Oak Glen Road to Wildwood Canyon Drive, and areas North of Wildwood Canyon Drive efrom Canyon Drive to the junction with Oak Glen Road.
- Oak Glen (partial, see road closures), Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls
- All residents located east of Bryant street on Highway 38 including Mountain Home, Forest Falls, Angelus Oak, 7 Oaks and Jenks Lake Area East to Onyx Summit. Note: Angelus Oaks/Seven Oaks Residents have to go north to Big Bear, CA as Highway 38 is impacted by fire and rock slides.
Warning (voluntary, but be prepared to leave)
- North of Carter, West of Bryant, South of Highway 38, East of Garnet.
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 Onyx Summit
- 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 Hwy 38
- Wildwood Canyon Drive between Mesa Grande and Oak Glen Road
- Soft closure on Highway 38 at Lake Williams Drive (south of Big Bear) to warn drivers of the closure at Onyx Summit
CAUSE
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The family behind the party where authorities say a pyrotechnic device was set off 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:
"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."
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:
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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