Lake Fire Update: June 29

With cause still under investigation, the Lake Fire that broke out June 17 has expanded in size to burning 30,726 acres and as of June 29 at 8 a.m. was reported by San Bernardino County fire officials as being 60 percent contained. The estimated cost of damage is currently at $30.2 million and four have been injured as a result of the blaze. One residence has burned and 65 crews, 94 engines, seven dozers, 37 water tenders, 20 helicopters and two air attacks, for a total of 2,236 personnel, are battling the blaze. Night operations experienced little fire behavior. Firefighters worked in the Onyx Peak area, finding and extinguishing logs and stump holes that were still holding heat. Today firefighters will continue to grid for hot spots along the containment lines. Crews working north of the Three Sisters Peaks will be constructing fire line where it is safe in steep, difficult-to-access terrain. Firefighters will be assessing the possibility of working the fire line south of Three Sisters Peaks and into the South Fork drainage. If weather permits, crews will be flown into the wilderness to construct line along the southwest portion of the fire. Aerial resources continue to assist firefighters in all active fire areas. Crews will be using heavy equipment in areas where there is no longer fire activity to begin suppression repair tactics. The damage assessment team continues to evaluate the fire area for further damage. The team has reported the loss of a residence and three out buildings in the Burns Canyon area. The monsoonal trend will continue to bring showers and thunderstorms to the fire area for the next few days. Crews can expect localized rainfall and gusty, erratic winds from the storms. Fire behavior has diminished significantly; however, there is still heat along the perimeter in most areas of the fire. Pockets of unburned fuel continue to burn especially in areas that did not burn in the 2006 Sawtooth and Millard Fires. Motorists along Interstate 10 near Palm Springs may continue to see smoke from the Ten Thousand Foot Ridge in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. State Route 38 is open to through traffic. Motorists may observe suppression repair crews and movement of heavy equipment along the highway. Please be alert while traveling on State Route 38 and yield the right-of-way to emergency personnel and vehicles. As a result of the efforts on the fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff, in conjunction with unified command, has lifted the evacuation order for Burns Canyon residents.