A large brush fire, known as the Lake fire, erupted on Saturday afternoon in San Bernardino County, quickly spreading from 60 acres to 478 acres within just a few hours. The fire broke out at the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, near Highway 173, shortly before 4 p.m. By late evening, it was reported to be zero percent contained, prompting urgent evacuation orders for nearby areas.
More than 100 people were at the reservoir when the fire started. Many were forced to flee as flames reached heights of up to 100 feet. Boaters and jet skiers played a crucial role in helping evacuate individuals from the beach to a safer area on Highway 173, where they were later reunited with their vehicles. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with beachgoers scrambling to escape the advancing flames.
Authorities issued evacuation warnings for regions north of Highway 138, while those south of the highway, between Interstate 15 and Highway 173, faced mandatory evacuation orders. Gloria Orejel, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, noted that park rangers assisted in transporting evacuees to safety.
Cal Fire is leading the response efforts, working alongside local fire departments and the U.S. Forest Service. Firefighters are battling the blaze both from the ground and air. As conditions are expected to shift, humidity levels are projected to rise overnight, which may provide some relief. However, the forecast for Sunday indicates a return to drier conditions with wind gusts potentially reaching 30 mph, which could complicate firefighting efforts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This incident comes as Southern California faces heightened fire risks due to low rainfall and dry conditions, raising concerns about the potential for more wildfires in the region.