Voluntary evacuations ordered as 850-acre wildfire burns in Big Bear

BIG BEAR, Calif. (KABC) -- Voluntary evacuation orders were issued as firefighters battled an estimated 850-acre brush fire in Big Bear Monday afternoon. It was 0 percent contained.

The blaze was first reported around 3 p.m. as a 10-acre fire that was "growing rapidly" at Holcomb Valley Road and N Shore Drive in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Evacuations in Holcomb were voluntary, Big Bear Fire Department officials said.

San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said areas also under evacuation were homes around the Big Bear transfer station, also known as "the dump," and Baldwin Lake.

Big Bear residents watched as the fire began moving away from their city. Shauna Crane breathed a sigh of relief.

"It was really scary watching it come over the hill and just knowing that it's dry. I've lived here 21 years so I've been evacuated a few times. I'm just like, please do not let it come anywhere close to us. Thankfully, it went away," she said.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for portions of the eastern San Bernardino Mountains.

Doble Trail and Tanglewood Group campgrounds were both closed.

Two firefighters suffered injuries, one from heat exhaustion and the other a physical injury, authorities said.

No structures were threatened. The Pacific Crest Trail was closed west of Highway 18, as well as Van Dunsen Road and Holcomb Valley Road East at Highway 18.

The highway was also shut down from Big Bear to Lucerne Valley.

At one point, the fire was burning dangerously close to an old mine with dynamite, but moved away from the area.

Fire crews received assistance from nine water tenders, eight air tankers, six helicopters and one dozer, according to officials with the San Bernardino National Forest.

The cause of the fire was unknown.

Temperatures in the area reached 85 degrees as a heat wave continues to sear the Southland. The humidity in the area was low at 10 percent, according to fire officials.

Fire crews remained overnight and hope the low temperatures can aid in the fight to control the blaze before temperatures rise again Tuesday.

This fire comes as firefighters in Castaic continue to work to contain an 800-acre blaze in a remote area amid hot conditions.