Pine fire continues to burn in wilderness area north of Ojai
Hundreds of firefighters continued to battle a wildfire in the Sespe Wilderness north of Ojai on Sunday with no containment in sight.
The Pine fire started Thursday morning about 11 miles north of Ojai. As of Sunday morning, the fire had consumed 1,590 acres and was threatening 50 structures, said Helen Tarbet with the Los Padres National Forest.
The area’s “very remote and steep and rugged terrain” has made it difficult for the more than 350 fire personnel to get a handle on the blaze, Tarbet said. The fire could be partially contained by Sunday night.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Voluntary evacuations are in place for the Camp Scheideck community, Reyes Creek Campground, and the Grade Valley area including Thorne Meadow and Fish Bowls.
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Meanwhile, in San Bernardino, crews extinguished a fast-moving fire Saturday that destroyed four homes and damaged a fifth, officials said. The fire along West Kendall Drive burned eight to 10 acres before it was 100% contained by mid-afternoon.
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries, and one resident suffered from smoke inhalation. One of those firefighters was hospitalized after rescuing a homeowner.
“After five years of historically dry conditions around the state, this fire season has again proven to be very active and destructive,” said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services.
Other wildfires continued to burned Sunday around the state.
The California National Guard deployed four helicopters Sunday to assist in fighting the 2,000-acre Deer Fire in Kern County and the 2,900-acre Curry Fire near Coalinga in Fresno County. The helicopters can transport equipment and personnel, perform water drops and conduct medical evacuations.
“This is a call we’ve been anticipating, so our air crews are geared up and ready to support,” said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin with the California National Guard.
These latest fires come after deadly fires in Kern and San Diego counties where more than 150 structures were destroyed. The fires were fueled by strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity.
The Los Angeles County area can expect a cool down for Monday’s Fourth of July holiday, forecasters said.
“We’re looking at near normal to slightly below normal temperatures with night and morning low clouds and fog giving to afternoon sunshine with high temperatures near 70 near the coast to around 80 downtown,” said meteorologist David Sweet with the National Weather Service.
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