Mandatory evacuations in San Bernardino due to fast-moving vegetation fire

UPDATE @10 AM – Firefighters are making good progress around all areas of concern. Containment of the 75-acre blaze, however, remains at 0% as we enter into increased red flag conditions with the day becoming hotter, windier and drier. Personnel is currently 400 personnel, 1 helo, 1 air attack, 50 eng, 1 dozer, 3 WT, 5 hand crews.

SAN BERNARDINO, California. — Fire crews are busy fighting a wind driven brush fire that’s prompted mandatory evacuations and threatening homes in San Bernardino.

According to the US Forrest Service, the fire dubbed the “Old Water Fire” began around 2:00 a.m. near Old Waterman Canyon off Highway 18 in the north San Bernardino area on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

According to a US Forrest Service tweet, Mandatory evacuations on the #OldWaterFire are under way for a portion of north San Bernardino near Mariposa Dr. and David Way.

Here’s the latest:

• Closures: Highway 18 is closed between 40th Street in San Bernardino and Highway 138 in Crestline (a closure is also in place near Lake Gregory Dr).
• Structure protection is in place for 20-30 homes in the Mariposa Dr/David Way area of north San Bernardino. There are no evacuations at this time.
• The fire is estimated to be 50-100 acres in size with 0% containment,
• The cause is under investigation.
• The Forest Service is in unified command with San Bernardino County Fire and San Bernardino Police Department. Assisting agencies include CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit and Cal OES.

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