NEWS RELEASE
Sheep Fire Area and Road Closures
Sheep Fire Area and Road Closures on the Front Country Ranger District SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., October 7, 2009 - Due to fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, effective immediately,.. more
Approximate Location
Incident Overview
The Sheep Fire is 100% contained. When referring to a fire, the difference between a fire being contained or controlled can be unclear. When a fire is contained a fuel break has been completed around the fire manually by hand line, and/or mechanically by dozer line. These breaks may also include the use of natural barriers such as rocky outcroppings. When a fire is controlled, it has been extinguished completely, including hot spots. Therefore, just because a fire is contained does not mean that the fire is controlled or out.
Fire suppression repair began Wednesday October 7 and the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team began work on Friday October 9. There are two phases of rehabilitation following wildfires on federal lands: Fire Suppression Repair and Burned Area Emergency Response, or a long-term recovery strategy also known as BAER. Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize environmental impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. This work rehabilitates the hand and dozer firelines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. The BAER assessment team will determine if there are appropriate and effective measures that can be implemented in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding, mudslides, and debris flows. If the BAER assessment team determines emergency situations exist, and there are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures that would substantially reduce risks, the San Bernardino National Forest's short-term goal is to have treatments completed before the first damaging winter rain storm.
All mandatory evacuations have been lifted. We would like to remind residents to be on the alert as they are returning home as fire crews and equipment are still on the roadways.
Mandatory Evacuations for Swarthout Canyon and Lone Pine Canyon were lifted Wednesday evening October 7 and only residents with ID will be allowed into these areas. Lone Pine Canyon Road and Swarthout Canyon Road remain closed to the public. Roadblocks are in place at Lone Pine Canyon Road south of Wrightwood, Lone Pine Canyon Road at Hwy 138, and Swarthout Canyon Road at Cajon Blvd. All Nations Prayer Church was not damaged in the fire but it remains closed at this time since it is in the closed area of Swarthout Canyon.
Lytle Creek Road opened as of 10:00 am Wednesday October 7. For firefighter and public safety, public access to the Sheep Fire area will not be allowed with the exceptions of residents with ID returning to their homes. Roadblocks are in place at the end of the pavement on Lytle Creek Road (before the Lytle Creek Firing Range - which will remain closed), Sheep Canyon Road at Lytle Creek Road, and 2N53 (Applewhite Truck Trail) at 2N52 (Lytle Creek Ridge Road). For specific details on the closure order refer to this link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/about/forder0906.shtml
Businesses in Lytle Creek Canyon are open for customers. If you are planning to visit the area and have further questions, please call the Lytle Creek Ranger Station at (909) 382-2851. They are open 7 days a week from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Anyone needing assistance from the Red Cross may call: Red Cross/High Desert Chapter (Victorville): (760) 245-6511 or Red Cross/Inland Chapter (San Bernardino): (909) 888-1481.
Pacific Crest Trail Closure: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Soledad Canyon Road near the Angeles National Forest boundary near Acton to Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. This is due to the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest, and the Sheep Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest. Through hikers can use Soledad Canyon Road, Pearblossom Highway, and State Route 138 as an alternate.
Sheep Fire History: The Sheep Fire started along Sheep Creek Road near Lytle Creek at about 2:11 pm on Saturday October 3, 2009. It burned north towards Mormon Rocks then northwest up Lone Pine Canyon. Five structures were destroyed in the Lone Pine and Swarthout Canyon areas including one residence. Five vehicles, four RVs, and two pieces of heavy equipment were also lost.
The fire burned to the top of Lone Pine Canyon near Wrightwood and the town was evacuated on Sunday morning. It burned to about 3/10 of a mile from Wrightwood homes, but firefighters took a stand and were successful in keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood. Numerous helitankers and fixed wing air tankers dropped water and retardant on the fire and dozers constructed fire lines. Back fires were also set to protect homes at the eastern edge of Wrightwood. Their efforts paid off and no homes in Wrightwood were destroyed. Wrightwood residents were allowed to return to their homes at noon on Tuesday October 6th. Residents to Lytle Creek and Lone Pine and Swarthout Canyons were allowed to return home on Wednesday October 7th. A Forest Closure Order was issued for the Sheep Fire area by the San Bernardino National Forest for public safety on October 7th. Eight firefighters were injured on the Sheep Fire.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Saturday October 03rd, 2009 approx. 02:11 PM |
| Location | Northwest of Lytle Creek, southwest of Highway 138, southeast of Wrightwood |
| Incident Commander | Tomaselli |
Current Situation
| Size | 7,128 acres |
|---|---|
| Percent Contained | 100% |
| Fuels Involved | Chaparral and timber |
| Significant Events | Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is working to evaluate fire area. |
