Lake Fire Updates

Note: We will continue to update this story from today, Thursday, June 25, 2015, with new information as it is received. For official fire information, please refer to the link at the end of this story.

Friday, June 26, 2015, 2:30 p.m. update:

The Lake Fire is now listed at nearly 30,000 acres with 19 percent containment. All prior mandatory evacuations and closures remain in place. There are 2,116 personnel assigned to combating the fire. Increasing humidity, and even some very light rain has been reported in the fire area, though heat and wind remain concerns in the firefighting effort.

Currently there are 7,390 structures threatened, with zero as the official count of structures destroyed. Though arson has been alleged by some media outlets, the official statement is the fire remains under investigation. Total cost as of this morning is estimated to be around $17,600,000 for firefighting efforts.

Pioneertown remains under a voluntary evacuation order, however Pioneertown Road has reopened to the general public and Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace has announced they will reopen today.

Also today, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an emergenncy proclamation. The proclamation will enable the county to seek state and/or federal reimbursement for the cost of fighting the fire. “The County is putting every effort into making sure people are safe and that they have access to all of the resources they need to survive this fire and recover,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos. “I commend the brave public safety personnel who are fighting this fire and keeping our communities safe.”

Thursday, June 25, 2015, 8:30 p.m. update:

As of this evening, fire containment has continued to decrease and is now at 19 percent, roughly half of what it was several days earlier. While there are media reports that arson was the cause of the fire, the official statement is the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire is approximately 25,599 acres and all mandatoroy evacuations and road/trail closures, remain in place. While containment has decreased, one of the DC-10 air tankers has been pulled from the firefighting effort as of this evening. Four fighters have been injured so far in fighting the Lake Fire.

Thursday, June 25, 2015, 4:18 p.m.: We are hearing reports that the attempt to hold the fire at Heartbreak Ridge was unsuccessful and that there may be a structure fire in Section 33. These are unconfirmed reports at this time, but from a reliable source. If so, this would be the first structure lost in the Lake Fire, if our information is correct. (As of the evening report on the Lake Fire, there are no structures reported lost to the fire.)

Thursday, June 25, 2015, 3 p.m.

The Lake Fire continued to defy containment today as more possible evacuations were announced. With mandatory evacuations in place for the Rimrock and Burns Canyon areas, and a voluntary evacuation in place for the Pioneertown area, police have limited access to the Pioneertown area on both Pioneertown and Pipes Canyon roads. Rangers for the Pioneertown Mountains Conservancy reportedly have evacuated, and smoke from the fire has been reported as far away as Ridgecrest in the northern Mojave and Las Vegas.

As of about 4 p.m. today, we are receiving reports that a portion of the area around Gamma Gulch is also receiving mandatory evacuation notices as well, and t,he legendary musical roadhouse, Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, has been forced to close today due to the restricted access to the Pioneertown area. Unlike the 2006 Sawtooth Fire, which literally stopped at the roadside where Pappy's is located, the Lake Fire is not immediately threatening historic Pioneertown at this point in time. (Fans of great mesquite barbecue and live music at Pappy's can breathe easy for the time being.)

A reverse 911 system reportedly called residents of the Rimrock, Burns Canyon, and Pioneertown areas this morning at approximately 2:15 a.m., roughly four hours after mandatory evacuations were announced.

For now, Pioneertown appears to be fairly safe for at least the near future, barring changes in wind direction. Burns Canyon doesn't appear to be so lucky. While Rimrock was untouched earlier this afternoon, a convoy of 10 to 12 fire trucks headed up Burns Canyon Road into the mountains around noon. According to fire department personnel in Rimrock, they were hoping to hold the fire to a nearby ridgeline, preventing it from coming down into some of the most beautiful areas that bridge between the hi-desert and mountains.

A DC-10 air tanker was seen diving into a canyon west of the junction of Pioneertown and Pipes Canyon roads, dropping fire retardant in an effort to slow the fire's progress. Last night at around 6 p.m., a drone was spotted by firefighters that led to the grounding of firefighting aircraft for a period of more than two hours.

Meanwhile, in Pioneertown proper, Morongo Basin Search & Rescue members staged at the Pioneertown Post Office began livestock rescue operations.

The Sun Runner would like to thank the nearly 2,000 firefighting personnel assigned to battle the Lake Fire, as well as the CERT and SAR volunteers, law enforcement personnel, support personnel, and local citizens who have pitched in to help. Local hoteliers got into the support effort last night with Calmada Boutique Hotel and others offering free rooms for fire evacuees. Calmada, a French-owned boutique hotel in the Pipes Canyon area, but out of fire danger for now, even tossed in freshly baked croissants for breakfast for evacuees. Artist Diane Best, who has a home in the Burns Canyon area that may or may not exist at this point in time, also offered up her vacation rentals for evacuees. The Sun Runner is offering complimentary lodging advertising for all hoteliers who provide free lodging for evacuees.

At this point, containment, which, and had neared 40 percent at one point, has been holding at 21 percent, with more than 23,000 acres burned. The cost for fighting the Lake Fire is nearing $15 million and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Winds appeared to be increasing this afternoon, and an Excessive Heat Warning is in place through Saturday. Temperatures were well over 100 degrees in Pioneertown and nearby Yucca Valley, with much of the Mojave Desert ranging between 110 and 115, even climbing as high as 119 near the Colorado River, and 120 in Death Valley. Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain hot, providing little relief.

Weather reports indicate a chance of thunderstorms on the horizon, but not until July 2, with temperatures remaining at or near 100 degrees until then, and beyond.