Firefighters made good progress on the El Dorado Fire today. There was no major wind event during the day. Firefighters were able to put black line around the Mountain Home community in the Mill Creek drainage to protect homes as the fire burns downslope on this northern perimeter. A burnout operation was also conducted on the eastern fire perimeter, between Oak Glen Road and the Apple Fire burn scar. The strategy in this area is to clear the vegetation to prevent the fire from escaping and moving towards homes.
On the north side of Yucaipa Ridge, the fire activity remains much calmer and crews are working on holding the fire at the Mill Creek wash along Hwy 38 at Mountain Home Village and into Forest Falls. The hard work of crews on the ground, dozers and aircraft have enabled a lot of great work to be accomplished as fire lines continue to be constructed around the fire in preparation for the upcoming Red Flag Santa Ana Wind event starting at noon tomorrow and lasting through Wednesday.
The weather will remain dry and hot throughout the night. The fuels remain receptive to burning which creates a potential for large fire movement.
Residents, please heed evacuation orders, please stay out of the fire area. The Red Cross Temporary Evacuation Point has been moved to the cafeteria at Redlands East Valley High School 31000 E. Colton Ave in Redlands.
CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS
ROAD CLOSURES:
• Highway 38: Northbound Highway 38 is closed at Bryant Ave. and Southbound Highway 38 is closed at the town of Angelus Oaks.
• Oak Glen Road: Closed at Pine Bench Rd on the east and Cherry Croft/Jefferson on the west.
EVACUATIONS:
Evacuation Order: Yucaipa Blvd at Bryant intersection to the east. Yucaipa Blvd to Ave E southeast to the intersection of Mesa Grande, east to Wildwood Canyon Rd to include all portions of Hidden Meadows and the southern portion of the Cherry Valley Community from Nancy Lane east to Beaumont Ave. Including portions of Riverside County down to Orchard St.
Oak Glen (partial, see road closures), Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls and North Bench Yucaipa (north of Carter St to Highway 38 and both sides of Bryant St east & west).
Evacuation Warning: Evacuation warning in place for Beaumont Ave east to Hillside Place in the Highland Springs area to the Apple Fire burn perimeter to the north and Cherry Valley Blvd to the south.
CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party. The fire began at 10:23 am on September 5, 2020 in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. The fire spread from the park to the north on to Yucaipa Ridge that separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa.
CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.
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