Pilot Fire now 100% contained after burning 8,110 acres
Tuesday, August 16 Update:
The Pilot Fire is now 100% contained after burning 8,110 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest. Firefighters had the wildfire contained by about 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Friday, August 12 Update:
The Pilot Fire has burned 8,115 acres and containment is now at 80%. All evacuation orders and advisories for the mountain communities affected by the Pilot Fire have been lifted, according to the fire incident report.
Notes from firefighters:
We ask that residents returning to the evacuation zone exercise caution. Firefighters, engines, and heavy equipment continue to operate in the area. The San Bernardino County Sheriff shall continue enhanced patrols through these areas with four additional 2-deputy units. Incident Command has based its decision on the effectiveness of containment lines and decreased fire activity throughout the Pilot Fire. Yesterday’s tactical firing operation, while producing significant smoke and visible flames, was instrumental in reducing the threat to the mountain communities and decreasing the time residents were kept from their homes.
Incident Commanders wish to thank the residents of Deer Lodge Park and north Lake Arrowhead for their patience and understanding during the past few days while firefighters and law enforcement protected their communities.
Thursday, August 11 Update:
The Pilot Fire has currently burned 7,899 acres and firefighters have reached 70% containment.
As of 12 p.m. Thursday, voluntary evacuation orders have been lifted for Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Summit Valley. Road closures through these areas are no longer in effect as well.
This includes Arrowhead Lake Road from Hesperia Lakes to Hwy 173, Hwy 173 from Hwy 138 through Summit Valley, and Deep Creek Road from Rock Springs Road to the Spillway (all back open).
However, the Pacific Crest Trail will remained closed due to ongoing suppression efforts, according to fire officials.
Authorities ask that residents returning to the evacuation zone please be cautious. Firefighters, engines, and heavy equipment continue to operate in the area! Southern California Edison will continue line repair along Hwy 173 with occasional impacts to drivers.
All mountain area evacuations and road closures remain in effect. Incident Commanders wish to thank the residents of Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Summit Valley for their patience and understanding during the past few days while firefighters and law enforcement protected their communities.
Wednesday August 10 Update:
The Pilot Fire is now 64% contained as firefighters have taken the upper hand. The wildfire burning in the San Bernardino National Forest has grown to 7,861 acres after igniting on Sunday near Pilot Rock Conservation Camp around Silverwood Lake.
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Tuesday August, 9 Update:
The Pilot Fire continues to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest.
As of Tuesday, the wildfire has burned 6,963 acres and is only 6% contained, according to the incident report.
Watch Tuesday’s 12:30PM Live Report
Fire officials said there are 5,300 structures threatened by the blaze. There is a total of 934 personnel working on the fire. Seven helicopters and eight air tankers are helping with the attack.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered on both sides of HWY 173 from HWY 138 to Arrowhead Lake Road and Arrowhead Lake Road south of Ranchero Road to HWY 173; Arrowhead Lake Road west to the Aqueduct, Ranchero Road south to Summit Valley; Deer Lodge Park including Aleutian Drive, Klondike Drive, Evergreen Drive, Yukon Drive and Grass Valley south of Brentwood.
Voluntary evacuations have been suggested north of Deep Creek Spillway, south of Rock Springs Road, east of the Mojave River, and west of Kiowa Road, officials said.
KESQ and CBS Local 2’s Alexandra Pierce has been on scene of the wildfire the past two days as firefighters continue to work on containment efforts.
Oak Hills High School in Hesperia, located at 7625 Cataba Road, has set up a shelter for those who have been evacuated from their homes, and the Devore Animal Shelter in San Bernardino County, located at 19777 Shelter Way, has set up a shelter for animals that have been evacuated from the fire area.
View photos of Pilot Fire from Monday morning
HWY 173 is closed between SR-138 and Arrowhead Lake Road. Highway 138 is open between I-15 and Hwy 18. The Miller Canyon OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Area is also closed.
Check the current status of the Pilot Fire
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A wildfire has burned 1,000 acres so far in San Bernardino County, after breaking out Sunday.
The fire is burning near Pilot Rock Conservation Camp around Silverwood Lake.
Evacuations were underway near State Route 138 and Old Mill Road.
The brush fire started as 30 acres, but quickly grew to nearly 1,000 acres Sunday afternoon.
San Bernardino County Fire officials said the blaze was burning north with southwest winds.
Forest fire officials said about 225 personnel have been assigned in the fire fight.
At this time, it’s not immediately clear what sparked the blaze.
Stay with KESQ and CBS Local 2 for the latest developments regarding the Pilot Fire.
