Helendale Fire Threatens Over a Dozen Horses

UPDATE (6:14 p.m.):  Fire crews have a line around the fire and will remain in place overnight.

UPDATE (5:00 p.m.):  As of 5:00 p.m. according to San Bernardino County Fire officials, the fire spread to 20 acres and was 75% contained. All roads are reopened to traffic and all threats to structures were mitigated.

HELENDALE-(VVNG.com):  San Bernardino County firefighters responded to a fast-spreading 3rd alarm vegetation fire near Vista and Helendale Roads Wednesday afternoon.

Initial reports were made just before 2:00 p.m. indicating there was a vegetation fire in the area. Smoke from the fire was witnessed as far Pinon Hills residents said.

Photo By: Hugo C. Valdez

When firefighters arrived they located the wind-driven fire that was fueled by the heavy river bottom vegetation. Per scanner traffic, the fire was approximately 5-acres in size. Numerous horses and stables were threatened by the fast northerly spreading fire.

County Fire Engineer Jeff Allen told Victor Valley News that no structures other than the stables are being threatened at this time. There are no evacuations at this time.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is sending water-dropping helicopters to assist,” Allen said.

Response to the fire included 7 engines, 1 brush engine, 2 patrols, 2 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 2 dozers, 7 chiefs and 2 water tenders county fire officials said.

 As of 2:35 p.m. Helendale Road is shut down both north and southbound from Vista Road to Sunshine Lane.

The story is still developing, information will be updated as it is received.

HELENDALE: (Update) Helendale IC advising fire at 5 acres, wind driven, structures still threatened. Krn pic.twitter.com/8i2FjezyZn

— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) May 4, 2016