Oak Glen Fire

Oak Glen Fire, Firefighters appear to be gaining the upper hand on the Oak Glen Fire, but warn that triple-digit temperatures and high winds expected this afternoon could change fire behavior. Oak glen fire map, oak glen, oak glen ca, san bernardino fire, yucaipa fire, Oak Glen Fire.
Oak Glen FireThe blaze, which started at 1:36 p.m. Sunday south of Oak Glen and Potato Canyon roads, has charred about 1,000 acres of thick oak and chamise. The fire initially moved southeast away from apple orchards but made an overnight push to the northeast. No structures are immediately threatened.

Although humidity dropped overnight and firefighters had to contend with 60-foot flames that burned down to Oak Glen Road, Cal-Fire spokesman Bill Peters said “It’s looking better, it’s not putting up as much smoke.” There is still no containment. Southern California firefighters numbering 1,043 are monitoring the fire and dousing hot spots that continue to flare up.

“Our goal is to do as much damage as we can to the fire before that 2 p.m. window,” Peters said. “We want to hit it as hard as we can.” Fire officials are bracing for 20 mph winds that were forecast early this morning. The winds would likely blow in the same direction that the fire is moving and help carry embers.

About 8 a.m., fire crews started a backfire just across from Riley’s Farm to head off the blaze that was burning directly to the road.

“We had to start a backfire this morning so it wouldn’t jump the road,” said Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Charlie Dehart.

A mandatory evacuation for portions of Oak Glen remains in effect but officials say little more than 50 percent have left their homes and businesses.

“I’m not as nervous as one would think,” said Ken Azzato, operations manager for the 14-acre Oak Tree Village that houses 131 animals.

Azzato has spent the day sitting on a wooden porch with a cup of coffee, watching airtankers make repeated drops on a line of fire that continued to flare up atop a ridge. “The firefighters are doing a really good job,” he said.

An evacuation center has been set up at Yucaipa Community Center, 34900 Oak Glen Road. Only a handful of people were there this morning.

Oak Glen Road is closed from Chagall Street to Wildwood Canyon Road.

Large animals may be taken to the Yucaipa Equestrian Center, 13273 California St. Anyone needing assistance with animals may call San Bernardino Animal Control, (800) 472-5609.