Pilot Fire Continues To Burn Acres

SAN BERNARDINO>> As of Aug. 9, the Pilot fire that started Aug. 7 near Silverwood Lake in the County of San Bernardino has burned 6,298 acres with 6 percent containment. The San Bernardino Sheriff Department said USFS, San Bernardino County Fire, ‪#SBCSD‬ and CalFire are in unified command, dedicating every possible resource to the containment of the fire. Resources currently being used to help put out the fire include 84 engines, 12 water tenders, 7 helicopters, 8 air tankers, 14 hand crews, 22 dozers and 934 total personnel. Firefighters have been working around the clock, along with two #SBCSD water-dropping helicopters to contain the fire. Mandatory evacuations have taken place at Highway 173 from 138 to Arrowhead Lake Road and Arrowhead Lake Road from 173 to Hesperia Lake. Mandatory evacuations also include Arrowhead Lake Road and Hwy 173 extended to Ranchero Road and the entire community of Deer Lodge Park, Aleutian Drive, Klondike Drive, Evergreen Lane and Yukon Drive. On Aug. 9, a voluntary evacuation was set in place for areas east of Santa Fe Road in Hespiria, south of Ranchero Road to Arrowhead Lake Road, and north of the Spillway. Another voluntrary evacuation is in place for the community of Grass Valley Lake in addition to the area north of Peninsula and North Bay Roads to Hwy 173, and south of Hwy 173 from North Bay Road to Grass Valley Road. Residents of the area were advised of road closures and shelters in the area. Apple Valley Unified School District and Hesperia Unified School District will be closed, as of Aug. 9, until further notice. While drones have not been seen over the Pilot Fire, fire managers said in a press release they would like to remind the public that hobby drones, or unmanned aircraft systems, pose a major safety threat to firefighting pilots and firefighters. When a hobby drone is flown into a fire area, incident commanders have no choice but to suspend air operations and ground aircraft until the drone is removed from the area. An American Red Cross human shelter is open at Oak Hills High School, located at 7625 Cataba Road, Oak Hills and Rim of the World High School, located at 27400 CA-18, Twin Peaks. According to an American Red Cross press release, the care and reception center will provide for the immediate needs of those affected by the fire. Services include a safe and clean place to stay, food, hydration, and emotional support and health services. The center will remain open for as long as there is a need. Residents evacuating with pets are asked to shelter their pets at the Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino. The local Salvation Army office at 14585 La Paz, Victorville will accept household items and clothing donations for those affected by the wildfire. “The local American Red Cross is dedicated to assisting those affected by disasters,” said Georgia Duncan, American Red Cross Public Information Officer, in a press release. “We are working closely with local emergency management and our partners to coordinate relief efforts. Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call round-the-clock and ready to assist in various aspects including sheltering, feeding, disaster assessment, casework, and more. The American Red Cross offers tips for responding during a wildfire for residents including checking emergency kit is replenished with any missing or short supply items, being prepared to evacuate at any given moment, confine all pets to one room so in the event of an evacuation, residents can quickly gather them to evacuate. Other advice for residents include backing the car into the driveway for an efficient escape, keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in. Residents can go to redcross.org or download the free app to review safety checklists and locate shelters. Follow San Bernardino County Fire, CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit for more updates or call 909-383-5688.