All Evacuations Lifted on Lake Fire as Containment Reaches 60 percent
As of this morning, the Lake Fire, which began on June 17, stands at 30,726 acres with 60 percent containment. The cost of fighting the fire - so far - is placed at more than $30 million, with 2,236 personnel still assigned to firefighting efforts.
Only one residence is listed as lost - the custom home of artist Diane Best, located near the appropriately named Heartbreak Ridge in the Burns Canyon area.
A monsoonal trend in the weather is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to the area of the Lake Fire over the next several days. Fire crews expect localized rainfall and gusty, erratic winds from the passing storms, but reports note that fire behavior has diminished significantly. Pockets of unburned fuel (ie: forest) will continue to burn, especially in areas not previously burned in the Sawtooth and Millard fires of 2006.
Today it is expected that firefighters will continue to sesarch for hot spots along containment lines and crews working north of the Three Sisters Peaks will be constructing fire line where it is safe in the steep terrain. If weather permits, crews will be flown into the wilderness to construct line along the southwest portion of the fire, and aerrial resources will continue to support firefighters in all active fire areas.
Some roads, along with all hiking trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area and the Pacific Crest Trail, remain closed in the area of the fire. Campgrounds along HIghway 38 in the fire area may also be closed.
For additional information: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4302/