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Smoke from the Hesperia Fire fills the sky. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
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Wildfire season kicked off this week in San Bernardino County with the over 1,000-acre Hesperia Fire, authorities reported.
The High Desert blaze near Arrowhead Lake Road was first reported June 15 at 6:49 p.m. and 99% contained as of Wednesday, according to the county. No injuries were reported and no buildings were damaged.
Firefighters continued mop-up work Thursday as crews began to pack up equipment and hose lines.
Responding agencies included the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, sheriff’s department, the Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire.
“The winds that fueled the fire’s spread pushed the flames toward a natural fire break and away from a path that might have led it into the mountains,” according to a county statement. “An evacuation warning for Arrowhead Equestrian Estates was lifted and roads that had been closed were reopened. But firefighters warned the Hesperia Fire might have been a preview to what could be a fearsome wildfire season in San Bernardino County.”
The county provides an “all-season disaster preparedness site” — prepare.sbcounty.gov — with information on wildfire preparation, response and recovery.
“County Fire reminds us that particularly devastating wildfires tend to strike the county every 20 years, and it’s been almost 24 years since the Grand Prix and Old fires burned more than 91,000 acres, destroyed 975 structures, and took the lives of six people,” officials said.
Residents were urged to be on high alert for illegal fireworks amid the present heatwave that forecasters expect to continue through the Fourth of July.
“Everyone is reminded that all fireworks are illegal in all of unincorporated San Bernardino County and the vast majority of cities and towns within the county,” officials said. “Authorities have developed effective measures to identify and apprehend offenders and the penalties are stiff.”
Sbcounty.gov offers guidance on devising disaster preparedness plans for members of the public, and at sbcfire.org residents can sign up for public safety alerts.
Officials asked residents “to prepare, be cautious and stay safe, especially with the Fourth of July right around the corner.”
