Live

Vista Fire burns more than 2,800 acres in San Bernardino National Forest

Last updated: Friday, July 12, 2024 1:51PM GMT
Vista Fire grows to more than 2,800 acres; 13% contained
Vista Fire grows to more than 2,800 acres; 13% containedThe Vista Fire has burned 2,810 acres but firefighters are making progress. As of Friday morning, the fire was 13% contained.

LYTLE CREEK, Calif. (KABC) -- A brush fire has burned more than 2,000 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest since it broke out over the weekend.

The Vista Fire is chewing through dry brush near Mt. Baldy.

This comes as a persistent heat wave has pushed temperatures across Southern California to triple-digits over the past week.

KABC logo
Jul 12, 2024, 1:47 PM GMT

Fire grows to more than 2,800 acres; 13% contained

The Vista Fire has burned 2,810 acres but firefighters are making progress. As of Friday morning, the fire was 13% contained.

KABC logo
Jul 12, 2024, 1:40 PM GMT

Dip in temps could bring firefighters some relief

Triple-digit temperatures helped fuel the Vista Fire for the past week, but relief is on the way.

As of Thursday, the fire still hasn't been contained and more than 400 structures are threatened.

Fire officials said firefighters are holding the line and establishing a strong anchor to build those containment lines.

"The aircraft on this fire have been doing tremendous dropping a lot of water, a lot of retardant, to cool the fire to slow the progression of the fire, so our firefighters on the ground can actually get out there," said Nathan Judy with the Forest Service.

A community meeting was held Thursday night, where residents wondered about possible evacuations.

If evacuation orders are issued, more than 900 residents will need to access the only road out.

If orders are issued, more than 900 residents will need to access the only road out, which is why the residents and firefighters are asking visitors to avoid the area.

However, some have chosen to ignore the road closure.

"We want them to enjoy the forest too, but when it comes to a situation like this where we have fire and our homes, safety and our families are in danger, we ask that they stay away," said Lytle Creek Community Center President Malia Smith.

Smith is one of several residents who owns and operates a HAM radio, which could help spread the word should they need to evacuate in the future.

"We are working on a plan for evacuation," said Smith.

KABC logo
Jul 11, 2024, 12:25 AM GMT

Fire threatening close to 150 structures, officials say

The Vista Fire more than doubled in size overnight, burning at 2,354 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Forest Service said close to 150 structures are threatened, even though the fire is burning a good distance away.

Afternoon winds on Wednesday could possibly cause the fire to flare up again later in the day.

"We do have some heavy helicopters flying all last night," said Nathan Judy with the Forest Service. "We were able to drop 60,000 gallons of water on the fire last night to cool the flanks of that fire. Today, the fire is still active. It's burning on different flanks of the fire. Last night, it was going to the north-northwest, did push a little bit to the southeast, so it's moving a little bit all over the place."

The fire is being fueled not only by dry fuels in the deep forest but temperatures that are close to triple digits, even in the mountains.