Firefighters are continuing their work to contain the El Dorado fire above Yucaipa—which has burned 10,574 acres and is 16 percent contained as of Tuesday. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports crews are bracing for the challenge of Santa Ana wind conditions.
The combination of low humidity and gusty winds of over 40 miles per hour will make containment of the El Dorado fire more challenging for crews through Wednesday evening. The Santa Ana winds could potentially spread the fire further west into the neighborhoods of Yucaipa and Mentone.
Officials are urging San Bernardino and Riverside County residents to sign up for emergency telephone alerts and to respect fire evacuation orders. As of Monday, 21,000 residents are under evacuation.
More than 700 firefighters and other personnel are at the scene. Two firefighter injuries have been reported.
Monday, crews were able to make progress securing the eastern perimeter between Oak Glen Road and the Apple Fire burn as well as along the northern border around Mountain Home Village.
The Red Cross evacuation point remains at the cafeteria of Redlands East Valley High School. Residents should check the San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Inciweb, Twitter and Facebook pages for the latest information.