March 29, 2024
Wrightwood saved! Flames stopped at resort’s doorstep
WRIGHTWOOD--Dying winds and cooler, moist air are helping firefighters keep the remnants of the Sheep Fire out of this mountain community.

Forest Service spokeswoman Crystal Johnson says bulldozers are etching out miles of fire lines while hand crews set backfires to deprive the fire of fuel.

“They are doing some burn-out operations a quarter-mile southeast of Wrightwood to secure that community.”

It’s a much-improved picture from Sunday when a mandatory evacuation was ordered.

Residents of Lytle Creek have returned after they were rousted from their homes Saturday at the height of the fire. Three homes were lost as wind-fed flames roared into Lone Pine Canyon. Four other buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Roads in the fire zone are gradually being reopened including Route 138 between Highway 18 and Interstate 15. Schools were closed Monday in Wrightwood and nearby Phelan.

More than 1200 firefighters are waging a final air and ground assault, but it may take several days to quell remaining hot spots.

Meantime, investigators are trying to determine what started the fire Saturday above Keenwild near the bottom of Cajon Pass. (INT)
Story Date: October 6, 2009
Real-Time Traffic
NBC
AQMD AQI
Habitat for Humanity
United Way of the Inland Valleys
Pink Ribbon Thrift