El Dorado, San Bernardino

El Dorado, San Bernardino Unit, Cal Fire. Three miles northeast of Yucaipa, CA. Timber, chaparral and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Numerous structures threatened. Area and trail closures in effect.

October 16, 2020 at 9:50 AM

Interior burning on the El Dorado Fire will continue for several weeks as the fire continues to burn in the steep and inaccessible portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Firefighters continue to monitor lingering smoldering trees within the interior areas of the fire, as well as continue working on suppression repair of constructed fire lines.

This week, a weak Santa Ana wind event will bring gusty east to northeast winds and extremely low humidities. This expected to increase visible smoke within the fire’s interior.

Evacuation warnings remain in place for the communities of Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, and Barton Flats. These communities are open to residents only until further notice.

September 30, 2020 at 9:12 PM

Extreme hot and dry conditions will continue this week. Interior burning on the El Dorado Fire will continue for several weeks as the fire continues to burn in the steep and inaccessible portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Forest roads and hiking trails within the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area remain closed. Please check the San Bernardino National Forest websitefor forest roads and trails information.

Tuesday September 29, Caltrans reopened Highway 38 to all traffic. Please be advised that there will be delays in traffic due to firefighters and aircraft continuing work in the area. Please drive with care and at slower speeds to help ensure firefighter safety. Firefighters expect these delays in traffic to continue for several days or more. Please check https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ for updated highway conditions.

Evacuation warnings remain in place for the communities of Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, and Barton Flats. These communities are open to residents only until further notice.

September 26, 2020 at 12:05 PM

Today, firefighters continue the search for hidden hotspots near containment lines and conduct mop up in Angelus Oaks, Jenks Lake, and near the west fork of Barton Creek. Firefighters continue to build and re-enforce containment lines in the last remaining sections of fire line within the wilderness. Pockets of unburned fuel continue to cause smoke along Hwy 38. Flames may be visible (especially at night) but, are well within containment lines. Firefighters are working around the clock in the communities.

A large pocket of burning fuel remains in the Monkey Face Creek area near San Bernardino Peak. Residents may see large columns of smoke visible from both Yucaipa and Big Bear Areas. Please know that there is no threat to containment lines as a result of these fuels burning out.

There will be a community meeting for mountain residents in Angelus Oaks today, September 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. located at San Bernardino County Fire Station 98 located at 5766 Frontage Road, Angelus Oaks, CA. Representatives from the incident and public agencies will update community members on the current progress on the fire and recovery efforts.

Please keep in mind there will be firefighting personnel and heavy equipment working in the area. Please drive with EXTREME caution as roadway hazards may exist. slow down, do not tailgate, obey all traffic laws and expect possible traffic delays.

Weather: Temperatures are predicted to be warm, dry, and breezy later in the afternoon. Temperatures over the fire area will be 76-81 degrees.

Structural damage summary has been modified after review by DINS investigators.
Residence: Damaged 4 Destroyed: 5 Other Structures:  Destroyed: 15 

September 20, 2020 at 11:44 AM

The El Dorado’s Fire behavior overnight has decreased compared to the previous daytime period. Fire behavior decreased to the east as it burns into the old Lake Fire burn scar. With the forecasted weather, firefighters continue to make progress building containment line and putting in hose lays around in key areas on the fire. The fire continues to backdown to Hwy 38 with some upslope runs. Spot fires remain a concern along the 38 corridor. The Oak Glen, Yucaipa, Banning, and Beaumont side of the fire have moved into patrol status.

The El Dorado Fire started on September 5, 2020, in El Dorado Park located in the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area of Southern California, which is managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE. Prior to the fire, Southern California was experiencing a series of heat waves. On the day of the fire, we had record breaking temperatures across the region. Due to the dry conditions and grass covered hills, the fire spread rapidly onto Forest Lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. With a record number of fires throughout California, fire resources are spread thin.

With high temperatures and dry vegetation, the public is encouraged to be more vigilant and cautious when recreating near public lands and open spaces. Residents should evaluate their properties for defensible space and ensure they have adequate hazard reduction.

Weather:
A trough of low pressure continued through the area today. This will continue southwest winds during the day and evening hours for most locations. Sheltered valleys will likely see down canyon winds at night and relative humidity will slowly increase this weekend. Temperatures 90-94 degrees at 3000’ and 77-80 degrees at 6000’

September 19, 2020 at 8:30 PM

USDA Forest Service officials on the San Bernardino National Forest have confirmed the death of a firefighter on the El Dorado Fire. The incident took place on Thursday, September 17, 2020. The name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time. The cause of death is under investigation. Processional Video of the Fallen Firefighter being transported.

The El Dorado Fire continues to burn actively along Hwy 38 and in and around Angelus Oaks. Successful firing operations took place along Hwy 38. Though spot fires remain a concern in this area, due to rollout near the fires edge, there were no new spot fires today. The fire continues to backdown to Hwy 38 with some small upslope runs. The Oak Glen, Yucaipa, Banning, and Beaumont side of the fire will be moving into patrol status.

The El Dorado Fire started on September 5, 2020, in El Dorado Park located in the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area of Southern California, which is managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE. Prior to the fire, Southern California was experiencing a series of heat waves. On the day of the fire, we had record breaking temperatures across the region. Due to the dry conditions and grass covered hills, the fire spread rapidly onto Forest Lands in the San Bernardino National Forest. With a record number of fires throughout California, fire resources are spread thin.

With high temperatures and dry vegetation, the public is encouraged to be more vigilant and cautious when recreating near public lands and open spaces. Residents should evaluate their properties for defensible space and ensure they have adequate hazard reduction.

WEATHER:

A trough of low pressure continued through the area today. This will continue southwest winds during the day and evening hours for most locations. Sheltered valleys will likely see down canyon winds at night and relative humidity will slowly increase this weekend. Temperatures 90-94 degrees at 3000’ and 77-80 degrees at 6000’

September 11, 2020 at 9:28 PM

Crews and dozers will continue to build direct line around the fire to limit spread to the north and west towards Angelus Oaks. Aircraft will be supporting direct line construction and contingency work. Defensive burnout operations could continue as needed. Resources will be working to mop up and secure other of the fire areas in and around structures. Engines will also provide structure defense in the community’s that are impacted by the fire.

September 9, 2020 at 8:46 PM

Fire Crews conducted firing operations along Oak Glen Road, and in areas south of Mountain Home Village / Highway 38 and east toward Forest Falls to create defensible space between homes and the current fire perimeter. This allows firefighters to pick the spot where the fires edge will stop, providing a higher degree of safety to firefighters and to structures.

Fire crews and equipment will continue to extinguish hot spots along the fires edge continuing to secure fire lines. Red Flag Warnings are in effect through this evening.

Crews and dozers will continue to build direct line around the fire while other resources will mop-up and secure other lines. Defensive burnout operations might continue as needed along Oak Glen road or around structures. Resources will be working to mop up and secure areas in and around structures as forecast winds continue on the fire area

Damage assessment teams are currently working in the area to confirm the extent of the damages, the number of structures involved and their locations. Smoke will continue to impact portions of the Inland Empire and the San Gorgonio Pass area today and tonight, although much of the smoke in the upper atmosphere is from fires in central California. The Southern California AQMD has issued a Smoke Advisory due to smoke from the El Dorado Fire and the Bobcat Fire. Visit www.airnow.gov for air quality updates in your area.

Evacuation:
Residents and businesses may check to see if they are within evacuation order or warning areas by going to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Interactive Mapping Tool.

September 7, 2020 at 10:56 AM

On the south slope of Yucaipa Ridge, the El Dorado Fire continued to burn actively throughout the night making a significant push downslope from Wilshire Peak to below Pine Bench Road impacting structures in that area. Damage assessment teams are currently working in the area to confirm the extent of the damages, the number of structures involved and their locations.

On the north side of Yucaipa Ridge, fire activity is much calmer. The fire is burning slowly down the north slope towards the communities of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls.

The weather remains dry and hot with a high heat warning and low relative humidity. The predominant northeast winds are expected at 3 to 5 mph gusting to 10 mph with a westerly wind shift at 3 to 6 mph gusting to 11 mph in the early afternoon with a possible fire plume buildup in the unstable atmosphere over the fire. This will result in continued active fire behavior throughout the day. Firefighters are working hard to build a line around the fire and protecting structures in the communities affected. Firefighting aircraft will assist crews on the ground with retardant and water drops, however, the afternoon winds may ground the aircraft.

Residents, please heed evacuation orders, and holiday travelers, please stay out of the fire area. Residents in and around this fire, please remain vigilant: Conditions are changing quickly. There is a Santa Ana wind event anticipated tomorrow night through Wednesday. We are working as hard as we can to prepare for it. Help us by staying out of the firefighters way.

CIIMT 11, a Type 2 Incident Management Team, is managing the El Dorado Fire for the San Bernardino National Forest in unified command with the City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire BDU, San Bernardino County Sheriffs and California Highway Patrol.

September 6, 2020 at 8:10 PM

CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party. The fire began at 10:23 am on September 5, 2020 in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. The fire spread from the park to the north on to Yucaipa Ridge that separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa.

CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.

September 6, 2020 at 12:07 PM

The fire burned actively overnight, and smoke will continue to impact portions of the Inland Empire today.  The Southern California AQMD has issued a Smoke Advisory.   Visit www.airnow.gov for air quality updates in your area.

Evacuations Orders (Mandatory)
– Evacuation Order: Oak Glen (partial, see road closures),
– Hwy 38 Area of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls 
– North Bench Yucaipa (All Resident north of Carter Street, East and West of Bryant, and south of Hwy 38)

A Red Cross reception site for evacuees is located at the Yucaipa Community Center, 34900 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399

San Bernardino County Residents:  Sign up for San Bernardino County Telephone Emergency Notification System, by visiting  http://www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENSContact.aspx

Road Closures
– Highway 38 at Bryant St. in Yucaipa and the community of Angelus Oaks
– Oak Glen Rd. between Pine Bench Rd. and Cherry Croft Dr.
– Bryant Street North of Carter St.

There is a soft closure on Highway 38 at Lake Williams Dr. (south of Big Bear, CA) to warn drivers of the closure in Angelus Oaks 

 Recreation Closures
– All San Gorgonio Wilderness, Trails, Trailheads and associated Parking Lots Except for the Pacific Crest Trail remains open.
– Other Trails: Big Falls, Oak Glen Divide, Wilson Creek
– Picnic Areas: Falls and Thurman Flats
– General Areas: Yucaipa Ridge, Mill Creek drainage and off-trail areas of the San Gorgonio Wilderness south of the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail, Santa Ana River Trail between 1S14 and Middle Control Road.
– Thomas Mountain Hunting Grounds Yellow Post Sites
– Forest Roads: 1N12 (Near Angelus Oaks), 1S12 (Warm Springs Road), 1S13 and 1S03

Unified Command Partners
 – CAL FIRE BDU 
– San Bernardino County Fire 
– San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department 
– California Highway Patrol 
– City of Yucaipa 
– San Bernardino National Forest 

September 5, 2020 at 7:17 PM

CAIIMT 11 (Fogle) activated to the fire.

The El Dorado Fire started at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5 at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, Calif.

Evacuations

• Evacuation Order: Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls and a portion of North Bench Yucaipa (east of Jefferson St., North of Oak Glen Rd., south of Yucaipa Ridge and west of the community of Oak Glen)
• Evacuation Warning: North Bench Yucaipa (west of Jefferson St. north of Oak Glen Rd., east of Bryant St., south of the Yucaipa Ridge)

A temporary evacuation center is located at the Yucaipa Community Center, 34900 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399

Road Closures

• Highway 38 at Bryant St. in Yucaipa and the community of Angelus Oaks
• Oak Glen Rd. between Acorn Way (just nort hof Wildwood Canyon Rd.) and Casa Blanca Ave.

There is a soft closure on Highway 38 at Lake Williams Dr. to warn drivers of the closure in Angelus Oaks

Recreation Closures

• San Gorgonio Wilderness trails and trailheads: Vivian Creek, Momyer, San Bernardino Peak
• Picnic Areas: Falls and Thurman Flats
• General Areas: Mill Creek drainage and off-trail areas of the San Gorgonio Wilderness south of the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail