BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Firefighters from multiple agencies stopped the forward progress of the Nash Fire after working through the night to contain the vegetation fire that ignited Thursday evening in Barstow.
The fire, which ultimately burned 156 acres, was reported at approximately 5:24 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026, in the area of Marks Road and Clay River Road.
As of Friday morning, the fire was 50% contained, with officials reporting the forward rate of spread has been stopped and threats to structures and infrastructure have been mitigated.
Firefighters transitioned into mop-up operations early Friday as crews worked to extinguish remaining hot spots and strengthen containment lines.
The fire, which ignited Thursday evening in the area of Marks Road and Clay River Road, north of Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow, was initially estimated at 25 acres before rapidly growing to 30 acres.
Incident Command warned the blaze had the potential to spread another 20 acres, prompting requests for additional air and ground firefighting resources.
As fire activity intensified Thursday evening, Incident Command requested Air Attack, two air tankers, two additional helicopters and three additional Type 3 fire engines to support suppression efforts.
The Barstow Fire Protection District was assisted by the San Bernardino County Fire Department and numerous other local, state and federal agencies throughout the incident. Firefighters remained on scene overnight constructing containment lines and protecting nearby properties.
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow also deployed its Fire & Emergency Services personnel to assist with the incident north of the installation. In a public advisory Thursday evening, the base advised residents they could expect to see smoke and increased first responder activity as crews monitored wind conditions and the fire’s direction of travel.
The installation said it did not anticipate the fire reaching the base and staged fire units at the base golf course to protect its northern flank. In a follow-up comment, Fire Chief Tworek stated, “Winds are favorable for Nebo,” noting that winds were pushing the fire northward, away from the installation.
Photos from the scene showed towering columns of black smoke rising above the desert as flames burned through heavy vegetation near railroad tracks, creating a smoke plume visible from across Barstow. Air and ground crews worked aggressively Thursday evening to slow the fire’s spread before ultimately stopping its forward progress overnight.
No injuries, structural damage or evacuations were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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