Sheep, San Bernardino NF. Transfer of command from IMT2 (Woychak) back to local unit will occur today. Four miles north of Lytle Creek, CA. Timber and brush. Contained.
October 8, 2009
7:13 a.m. Fire crews will continue to mop up and patrol containment lines. Infrared flights are continuing and they are finding less hot spots. Fire suppression repair and rehabilitation have begun. Demobilization of excess personnel and equipment has begun.
October 7, 2009
7:35 p.m. Fire suppression repair began Wednesday and the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will begin work on Friday. There are two phases of rehabilitation following wildfires on federal lands: Fire Suppression Repair and Burned Area Emergency Response, or a long-term recovery strategy also known as BAER. Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize environmental impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. This work rehabilitates the hand and dozer firelines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. The BAER assessment team will determine if there are appropriate and effective measures that can be implemented in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding, mudslides, and debris flows. If the BAER assessment team determines emergency situations exist, and there are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures that would substantially reduce risks, the San Bernardino National Forest's short-term goal is to have treatments completed before the first damaging winter rain storm.
All mandatory evacuations have been lifted. We would like to remind residents to be on the alert as they are returning home as fire crews and equipment are still on the roadways.
Mandatory Evacuations for Swarthout Canyon and Lone Pine Canyon were lifted Wednesday evening and only residents with ID will be allowed into these areas. Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road remain closed to the public. Roadblocks are in place at Lone Pine Canyon Road south of Wrightwood, Lone Pine Canyon Road at Hwy 138, and Swarthout Canyon Road at Cajon Blvd. All Nations Prayer Church was not damaged in the fire but it remains closed at this time since it is in the closed area of Swarthout Canyon.
6:25 a.m. Today crews are continuing to patrol, mop-up and construct fire line. Area residents will continue to see some smoke and occasional flare-ups from within the fire perimeter. Interior unburned vegetation will catch on fire occasionally and produce some smoke columns, but no fire spread to the perimeter of the fire is expected. Infrared mapping conducted by aircraft have assisted firefighters on the ground in targeting and extinguishing these heat sources.
Fire suppression repair and rehabilitation began today and will continue. The burned area emergency rehabilitation team will begin work on Friday.
Eight firefighters have been injured on the Sheep Fire but no fatalities have been reported.
Lytle Creek Road opened as of 10:00 am Wednesday October 7. For firefighter and public safety, public access to the Sheep Fire area will not be allowed with the exceptions of residents with ID returning to their homes. Roadblocks are in place at the end of the pavement on Lytle Creek Road (before the Lytle Creek Firing Range – which will remain closed), Sheep Canyon Road at Lytle Creek Road, and 2N53 (Applewhite Truck Trail) at 2N52 (Lytle Creek Ridge Road).
Some businesses in Lytle Creek Canyon will be open for customers. The Lytle Creek Firing Range will remain closed, but the West End Gun Club will be re-opening. Mountain Lakes Resort and Bonita Ranch Campground will be re-opening. Applewhite Campground and Picnic area are still closed at this time.
Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road remain closed. California Highway Patrol will continue to staff the roadblocks at Lone Pine Canyon Road south of Wrightwood, Lone Pine Canyon Road at Hwy 138, and Swarthout Canyon Road at Cajon Blvd.
Mandatory Evacuations for Swarthout Canyon and Lone Pine Canyon were lifted Wednesday evening and only residents with ID will be allowed into these areas. The area remains closed to public access. Anyone needing assistance from the Red Cross may call: Red Cross/High Desert Chapter (Victorville): (760) 245-6511 or Red Cross/Inland Chapter (San Bernardino): (909) 888-1481.
All mandatory evacuations have been lifted. We would like to remind residents to be on the alert as they are returning home as fire crews and equipment are still on the roadways.
Pacific Crest Trail Closure: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Soledad Canyon Road near the Angeles National Forest boundary near Acton to Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. This is due to the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest, and the Sheep Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest. Through hikers can use Soledad Canyon Road, Pearblossom Highway, and State Route 138 as an alternate.
October 7, 2009
10:18 a.m. Lytle Creek Road will be opening at 10:00 am Wednesday October 7. For firefighter and public safety, access to the Sheep Fire area will not be allowed. Roadblocks are in place at the end of the pavement on Lytle Creek Road (before the Lytle Creek Firing Range - which will remain closed), Sheep Canyon Road at Lytle Creek Road, and 2N53 (Applewhite Truck Trail) at 2N52 (Lytle Creek Ridge Road).
Some businesses in Lytle Creek Canyon will be open for customers. The Lytle Creek Firing Range will remain closed, but the West End Gun Club will be re-opening. Applewhite Campground and Picnic area are still closed at this time.
Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road remain closed. California Highway Patrol will continue to staff the roadblocks at Lone Pine Canyon Road south of Wrightwood, Lone Pine Canyon Road at Hwy 138, and Swarthout Canyon Road at Cajon Blvd.
Today crews are continuing to patrol, mop-up and construct fire line at this time. Area residents will continue to see some smoke and occasional flare-ups from within the fire perimeter. Interior unburned vegetation will catch on fire occasionally and produce some smoke columns, but no fire spread to the perimeter of the fire has been noted. Infrared mapping conducted by aircraft have assisted firefighters on the ground in targeting and extinguishing these heat sources.
Fire suppression repair and rehabilitation will begin today.
Eight firefighters have been injured on the Sheep Fire but no fatalities have been reported.
5:39 a.m. Lone Pine Canyon Road remains closed. The community of Lytle Creek remains open to residents only. The incident has been taken out of Unified Command. Road closures include Lone Pine Canyon and Swarthout Canyon. The evacuation center at the San Bernardino Fair Grounds has been closed. The Eishenhower High School Evacuation Center will remain open. The projected containment date has been moved to 10/10/09 due to access and terrain difficulties. There were four minor injuries reported this operational period. Continuing extensive mop-up of numerous heat sources.
October 6, 2009
6:41 p.m. Containment up to 75%.
4:54 p.m. Mandatory evacuations were lifted for Wrightwood at noon Tuesday. Residents are reminded to be patient as the traffic along Hwy 138 and Hwy 2 is likely to be heavy as all the evacuated residents return. Also, residents in the area may continue to see some smoke from fire activity within the fire perimeter.
All schools in the Snowline School District will be open on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.
Road Closures: Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road remain closed. Lytle Creek Road is open to residents with ID only.
Pacific Crest Trail Closure: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Soledad Canyon Road near the Angeles National Forest boundary near Acton to Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. This is due to the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest, and the Sheep Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest. Through hikers can use Soledad Canyon Road, Pearblossom Highway, and State Route 138 as an alternate.
Sheep Fire Summary: The Sheep Fire started near Sheep Canyon Road near Lytle Creek at about 2:11 pm on Saturday October 3, 2009. It burned northeast to Swarthout Canyon Road, then northwest up Lone Pine Canyon. 5 structures were destroyed in the Lone Pine and Swarthout Canyon areas along with vehicles, RVs and heavy equipment. The fire burned to near the top of Lone Pine Canyon near Wrightwood and the town was evacuated on Sunday morning. It burned to about 3/10 of a mile from Wrightwood homes, but firefighters were successful in keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood. Numerous helitankers and fixed wing air tankers dropped water and retardant on the fire and dozers constructed fire lines. Back fires were also set to protect homes at the eastern edge of Wrightwood. Their efforts paid off and no homes in Wrightwood were destroyed. Wrightwood residents were allowed to return to their homes at noon on Tuesday October 6th.
Crews are continuing to mop-up and construct fire line at this time. There is approximately 19 miles left of fireline to construct in steep and rugged terrain in Lone Pine Canyon. Area residents will continue to see some smoke and occasional flare-ups from within the fire perimeter.
6:34 a.m. Due to favorable weather conditions, minimal fire activity was observed with creeping fire and smoldering.
October 5, 2009
6:34 p.m. All schools in the Snowline School District will be closed on Tuesday October 6th.
Road Closures: Hwy 138, between I-15 and Hwy 2, is now open. This does not effect Wrightwood residents, Hwy 2 remains closed. Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road also remain closed. Lytle Creek Road is open to residents with ID only.
2:29 p.m.Evacuations:
* Wrightwood - mandatory evacuation order remains in place for the entire community
* Lytle Creek - re-entry for residents with proper identification only
Road Closures:
* Lytle Creek Rd is open to Lytle Creek residents with proper identification only
* Lone Pine Canyon Rd closed
* State Route 138 is closed from I-15 to State Route 18
* State Route 138 is closed from I-15 to State Route 2
* State Route 2 from State Route to La Canada Flintridge
(Red Cross) Human Shelters:
* Eisenhower High School at 1321 N. Lilac at Baseline, Rialto, CA in the multi-purpose room.
* Victorville Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA
Animal Shelters:
Large animal Evacuation Center is set up at the Victorville Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville.
Small animals are being accepted at the Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way, Devore.
10:56 a.m. Hwy 2, Lone Pine Canyon Road, and Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hwy 2 are still closed. Lytle Creek Road is open to residents with ID only.
6:36 a.m.
All schools in the Snowline School District (Wrightwood, Phelan area) will be closed on Monday, October 5, 2009 due to the Sheep Fire.
October 4, 2009
6:24 p.m. Meetings for affected residents:
Meeting for Wrightwood residents is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. (Sunday Oct 4th) at the Victorville Fairgrounds, Building # 1, 14800 7th Street, Victorville.
Meeting for Lytle Creek residents is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. (Sunday Oct 4th), at the Lytle Creek Community Center, 14082 Lytle Creek Road. Lytle Creek residents must show identification to be allowed beyond road closure. Road will be open to residents only for the meeting.
3:20 p.m. The Sheep Fire started near Sheep's Canyon Road near Lytle Creek at about 2:11 pm on Saturday October 3, 2009. It burned northeast to Swarthout Canyon Road, then northwest up Lone Pine Canyon. It is currently burning near the top of Lone Pine Canyon near Wrightwood, CA. It has not crossed Hwy 138 at this time. The fire is about 1/4 mile from Hwy 2 and homes in the area. Firefighters are cautiously optimistic at this time about keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood. There are numerous helitankers and fixed wing air tankers dropping water and retardant on the fire, as well as crews working on the ground and engines doing structure protection. Crews are constructing direct fireline and numerous engine strike teams are in place for structure protection for the eastern portions of Wrightwood.
3:19 p.m. In addition to ALL AREAS OF Wrightwood, the existing mandatory evacuations are still in place for:
* Applewhite Campground in Lytle Creek
* Happy Jack area of Lytle Creek
* Swarthout Canyon Rd area of Lone Pine Canyon
* Both sides of State Route 138 from Interstate 15 to Hess Road
NEW: A Lytle Creek community meeting is scheduled for Lytle Creek residents at 8 p.m. this evening, Sunday Oct 4th, at the Lytle Creek Community Center, 14082 Lytle Creek Road. Lytle Creek Road will be open to residents just for the meeting.
2:02 p.m. The fire is burning about 1.5 miles east of any homes in the Wrightwood area. Numerous engine strike teams are in place for structure protection for the eastern portions of Wrightwood.
11:52 a.m. MANDATORY evacuation is ordered for ALL AREAS OF WRIGHTWOOD.
In addition to ALL AREAS OF Wrightwood, the existing mandatory evacuations are still in place for:
* Applewhite Campground in Lytle Creek
* Happy Jack area of Lytle Creek
* Swarthout Canyon Rd area of Lone Pine Canyon
* Both sides of State Route 138 from Interstate 15 to Hess Road
Road Closures:
* Lytle Creek Rd is closed north of Sierra Ave
* Lone Pine Canyon Rd is closed at State Route 138
* State Route 138 is closed from I-15 to State Route 2.
(Red Cross) Human Shelters:
* Eisenhower High School at 1321 N. Lilac at Baseline, Rialto, CA in the multi-purpose room.
* Victorville Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA
Animal Shelters:
Large animal Evacuation Center is set up at the Victorville Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville.
Small animals are being accepted at the Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way, Devore.
11:46 a.m. All of Wrightwood is now under a mandatory evacuation. An evacuation center has been established at Victorville Fairgrounds at 14800 7th Street in Victorville.
Aircraft are now able to fly and 3 airtankers are currently making drops.
9:43 a.m. The fire experienced large fire growth and is fuel and wind driven with short range spotting. Fire is burning in a mix of timber and chaparral making significant runs on both sides of Lone Pine Canyon overnight and is currently moving north to northwest from Swarthout Canyon to Highway 138. Crews and Dozers are going direct as opportunities present.
3 houses confirmed destroyed. Approximately 4,000 people have been evacuated from Wrightwood & communities along Hwy 2 & 138. Evacuation Centers have been established in Rialto (Eisenhower H.S.) and Victorville (Fairgrounds) Evacuations in Wrightwood are mandatory for all homes east of Heath Canyon. Residents west of Heath Canyon are currently under evacuation advisory Swarthout Cyn, Lone Pine Cyn, & Cajon Cyn are also evacuated. Road closures: Hwy. 138, Hwy. 2, & Lytle Creek Road
Cal Fire has opened Prado Staging as of 0800 today with Type 3 Engine resources moving from the Sierra Area to support the incident and maintain Initial Attack capabilities
9:38 a.m. The Sheep Fire is burning between Lytle Creek Cyn and Highway 138. New mandatory evacuations are being put in place in Wrightwood for the areas east of Heath Canyon and west of Heath Canyon between Lone Pine Canyon Rd. and Hwy 2. The remainder of Wrightwood is under voluntary evacuation. Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the following areas in Lytle Creek: Applewhite, Happy Jack, areas east of Lytle Creek up to and including Mountain Lakes RV Park. Mandatory evacuations are in place also for Swarthout Cyn and areas along Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hess Rd. An evacuation center is located at Eisenhower High School in Rialto and at Victorville Fairgrounds. Small animals can be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. Large and small animals may be taken to the Victorville Fairgrounds. Glen Helen Rodeo grounds was taking large animals but is now full.
The Forest Service is in unified command with San Bernardino County Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept.
October 3, 2009
8:14 p.m. An evacuation center has been established at Eisenhower High School at 1321 N. Lilac in Rialto. Large animals may be taken to the Glen Helen Rodeo grounds and small animals may be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter.
6:55 p.m. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the following areas in Lytle Creek: Applewhite, Happy Jack, areas east of Lytle Creek up to and including Mountain Lakes RV Park. Mandatory evacuations are in place also for Swarthout Canyon and areas along Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hess Rd.
Currently the fire is moving north to northwest.
6:26 p.m. Mandatory evacuations for residents along Hwy 138 from I-15 to Hess Road. Structures reported threatened in Lytle Creek with approximately 100 residents being asked to evacuate.
6:09 p.m. SR 138 closed SR2 to I-15.
Many thanks to the Fire Information services for their updates.
