News Update!!: Apple Valley, CA: Latest information regarding vegetation fire.
** Here is the latest information regarding the vegetation fire, also known as the “River Bottom Fire”, which was burning in a river bottom area of Mojave Narrows Regional Park near Riverside Drive and Seneca Road in Apple Valley, California. **
** As of 9:00am PT on Thursday, April 2nd, 2015: **
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, vegetation fire, also known as the “River Bottom Fire”, remains at 185 acres and is at 95% contained, with full containment by Thursday evening.
Fire department firefighters are having a difficult time accessing a ridgeline on the east side of the riverbed due to steep terrain, dense vegetation, and very unstable ground.
There is approximately 50 firefighters and hand crews are on scene conducting extensive mop-up operations as well as 2 San Bernardino County Fire Department dozers continue to shore up containment lines around the burn area and will remain in the area on Friday.
** As of 3:53pm PT on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015: **
The vegetation fire named the “River Bottom Fire” is now 95% contained at 185 acres.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, a inmate hand crew member suffered minor injury well fighting the vegetation fire.
** As of 11:30am PT on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015: **
A Wednesday morning press conference was held updating the media about the vegetation fire, also known as the “River Bottom Fire”.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, both San Bernardino County Fire Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department personnel flew over the vegetation fire and mapped the burn area this Wednesday morning and the vegetation fire actually burned 185 acres and remains at 30% contained with full containment is expected late Wednesday evening.
Over 110 fire department firefighters and hand crews remain on scene, as well as 2 water dropping helicopters from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; a helicopter is able to carry 350 gallons of water and the other helicopter carries 180 gallons of water, and both of the helicopters did over 200 water drops onto the vegetation fire on Tuesday.
This Wednesday morning’s humidity was high and temperatures low, aiding the vegetation fire fight and Wednesday’s weather forecast is similar to yesterday, with winds expected at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts upward to 40 mph out of the west.
Heavy smoke will be seen throughout Wednesday, as the vegetation fire is expected to continue burning in heavy brush in the river bottom.
At this moment, all structure that were threaten have been mitigated.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department is now saying Wednesday that the vegetation fire, the River Bottom Fire, was not a controlled burn which changed from Tuesday’s press conference saying it was a “control burn” according to the Public Information Officer with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department is also saying Wednesday that the vegetation fire was not conducted by San Bernardino County Fire Department and it was staff at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park who was burning under burn permit.
** As of 7:30pm PT on Tuesday, March 31st, 2015: **
A Tuesday afternoon press conference was held updating the media about the vegetation fire, also known as the “River Bottom Fire”.
All mandatory evacuations have been lifted and Riverside Drive in Apple Valley, California is open to residents only.
The vegetation fire called the “River Bottom Fire” has burned 70 acres and is 30% contained.
According to Tracey Martinez, San Bernardino County Fire Department Public Information Officer, a fully permitted control burn near by got out of hand leading to this vegetation fire.
** As of 5:00pm PT on Tuesday, March 31st, 2015: **
The vegetation fire has burned 70 acres with no containment.
At least 100 structures are threatened.
A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for Riverside Drive from Riverside Way and Nokomis Road.
Evacuation Center has been set up at Sitting Bull Middle School located at 19455 Sitting Bull Road in Apple Valley, California.
San Bernardino County Fire Department as well as other near by fire development resources and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are assisting in battling this vegetation fire including over 200 fire department personnel and hand crews, 2 dozers, 4 water dropping helicopters.
Firefighters providing structure protection outside a home in the Spring Valley Lake Community.
Some outhouses and vehicles have been damaged by this vegetation fire.
The vegetation fire was reported at around 12:00pm PT on Tuesday, March 31st, 2015.
There is windy conditions in the area and dry conditions as well in the area.
The cause of the vegetation fire has not been determined.
More information is still coming into ZachNews.
** Pictures was courtesy of the San Bernardino County Fire Department. **
