El Dorado Fire: Evacuation orders remain for Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks as blaze scorches 13,592 acres

Friday, September 11, 2020
El Dorado Fire flare-up prompts more evacuations
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks as the El Dorado Fire near Yucaipa has scorched at least 12,610 acres.

YUCAIPA, Calif. (KABC) -- Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect Friday morning for communities near the El Dorado fire in the Yucaipa area.

Firefighters are working hard to protect threatened homes and buildings in several communities, including Forest Falls.

At least 10 buildings have been destroyed, including four homes. The El Dorado Fire has burned at least 13,592 acres and is 31% contained as of Friday morning.

Evacuation orders are in effect for Angelus Oaks and surrounding areas. Those living in Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks were told Wednesday to leave their homes after the blaze flared-up.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is urging people to consider rescheduling trips to Big Bear due to the fire activity.

WATCH: Officials urge against Big Bear trips amid El Dorado Fire

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is urging people to consider rescheduling trips to Big Bear due to the fire activity.

When the fire started, it was threatening the Yucaipa and Oak Glen communities, but has since moved north near Forest Falls, closer to homes.

Even though mostly smoke could be seen from the blaze, officials said the Forest Falls community was "significantly threatened" by the fire on Thursday.

"Today, we're working very hard on trying to control the fire from coming off the hill and getting in behind the structures," said Asst. Fire Chief Kathleen Opliger with San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Opliger said because of the smoke, it's been difficult to get air resources on top of the fire. The thick forest was also an issue.

"We haven't seen fire history in this canyon since the 30s, so it is so important that these firemen have the ability to move in and out of the homes without citizens impeding them," said Opliger.

The blaze erupted on Saturday morning in the 37000 block of Oak Glen Road. Fire officials quickly determined that it was caused by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device that was used during a gender reveal party in the area.

By early Thursday, almost everyone in town had evacuated. Around noon, about 80 firefighters were positioned near homes to protect what they could.

A smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used during a gender reveal party sparked the El Dorado Fire burning near Yucaipa, which has charred more than 8,000 acres, officials say.

For Thursday, officials said evacuation orders were in place for the following areas:

- All areas between Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit evacuate via Hwy 38 north to Big Bear.

- The following portion of Yucaipa and all of Oak Glen: All homes and businesses north and east of this line: from the intersection of Hwy 38 and Bryant to Carter, south on Jefferson to Ave E south to Wildwood Canyon Road to the intersection with Oak Glen.

- Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls

OTHER EVACUATIONS: San Bernardino County authorities have put together an interactive map of evacuation areas. To find out if your home is in an evacuation area, you can enter your address in the map.

WATCH: Time lapse video captures El Dorado Fire erupting near Yucaipa

Time lapse video taken over 15 minutes on Saturday shows the El Dorado Fire quickly exploding from 25 to 400 acres as thick smoke plumes tower over the Yucaipa area. As of Sunday morning, the blaze was over 2,700 acres.
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