Fire in San Bernardino Mountains prompts evacuations of campgrounds

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Thursday, June 18, 2015
A helicopter makes a water drop on a fire burning near Camp de Benneville Pines on Jenks Lake Road in the San Bernardino Mountains Wednesday, June 17, 2015.
A helicopter makes a water drop on a fire burning near Camp de Benneville Pines on Jenks Lake Road in the San Bernardino Mountains Wednesday, June 17, 2015.
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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A fire burned about 100 acres and forced the evacuations of several campgrounds in the San Bernardino Mountains Wednesday, officials said.

The Lake Fire, which is burning in timber east of Camp de Benneville Pines, south of Jenks Lake Road, began around 4 p.m.

Eleven fire engines, five air tankers, two crews, two water tenders, one dozer, one air attack plane and five helicopters were deployed at the fire's peak.

One person has been evacuated from Camp Ta Ta Pochon, which is owned by the YMCA of the West San Gabriel Valley. A total of 177 people from Camp de Benneville Pines, Alpine Meadows, Camp Edwards and Camp Tulakes have also been evacuated.

Children from the camps were bused to Citrus Valley High School in Redlands and the County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has sent representatives to meet with parents. The American Red Cross has also opened a shelter for evacuees at the high school.

No injuries have been reported. As of 8:30 p.m., the fire was 15 percent contained.

Jenks Lake Road remains closed, but Highway 38 is open. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.