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El Dorado Fire: Burns Into 9th Day

By LAist Staff
Published Sep 13, 2020 6:00 AM
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    This story is no longer being updated. Follow our coverage of the El Dorado Fire for Monday, Sept. 14>>

    It's day nine of the El Dorado fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Yucaipa.

    Late Saturday, firefighters said they were continuing to create fire breaks and needed continued help from water-dropping helicopters due to the rugged terrain where the fire is burning.

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    Earlier, Dan Munsey, who is leading planning operations for fire fighting said:

    "Our crews have been doing great work on this fire. We're reaching some major milestones. Over the next few days, it's going to be really critical for us to tie in some very important pieces, but as we do that, we're starting to allow the community come in and repopulate where it makes sense."

    Authorities in Big Bear are still asking visitors to stay out for the time being, in case more evacuation orders are necessary.

    Here's what we know about the fire so far today.

    THE BASICS

    • Acreage: 14,283 acres
    • Containment: 41%
    • Structures destroyed: four homes, six other structures
    • Structures damaged: two homes, four other structures
    • Structures threatened: 8,000
    • Resources deployed: 1,468 firefighters, including 22 hand crews, 17 dozers, 20 water tenders, nine helicopters
    5f5c25abedff0a0008ef3815-eight.jpg
    The El Dorado Fire continued to burn near the Forest Falls area on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, with occasional flare-ups. (Courtesy of El Dorado Fire Unified Command via Inciweb)
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    The El Dorado Fire began on Saturday, September 5, 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.

    Smoke advisories are in place through Sunday.

    EVACUATIONS

    San Bernardino County

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    An interactive map of current evacation zones is available here.

    Mandatory

    • All residents located east of the intersection of Hwy 38 and Bryant St. to Onyx Summit, including Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks

    Warning (voluntary, but be prepared to leave)

    • North of Carter Street, west of Bryant Street, south of Highway 38, east of Garnet Street. Officials advised those who may need extra time to mobilize, along with those with pets and livestock, to evacuate now.
    • Additionally, a travel warning remains in place advising visitors to postpone any trips to the Boig Bear area.

    EVACUATION CENTER

    • Cafeteria of the Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave. Redlands

    ROAD CLOSURES (as of 10 a.m. Friday)

    • Highway 38 is closed between Bryant St. to the south and Lake Williams Dr. to the north
    • Topaz St. is closed at Bryant St. to eastbound traffic
    • Juniper Ave. is closed at Bryant St.
    • Ivy is closed between Bryant St. and Jefferson St.
    • Fremont St is closed at north of Carter St.
    • Carter St. is closed between Bryant St. and Jefferson St.
    • Oak Glen Rd. access to residents, businesses and business support services only between lower Potato Cyn Rd. and Pine Bench Rd.
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    CAUSE

    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."

    Prosecutors could pursue felony charges if someone is hurt or killed, or if homes are damaged by the fire. Though no charges had been filed yet.

    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

    YOUR QUESTIONS OR IDEAS