BARTON FLATS – (INT) - Costs to fight the Lake Fire in the San Gorgonio Wilderness have hit $6.8 million.

Most of the fire’s 17,305 acres is not contained, but its spread on the northeast flank has been stopped. Firelines on the northwest perimeter are being reinforced.

The fire has not spread from 10,000 Foot Ridge. But elsewhere, burning logs rolling downhill into dense dry vegetation has spread fire. The dense smoke is attributed to large logs and dead trees burning within the fire perimeter. Most of the area has not burned in more than a century.

Evacuations remain in place to keep the area clear for the firefighters and the heavy equipment working on the containment lines along Highway 38. Nearly 2,000 fire fighting personnel have been committed to gain the upper hand.

Closures:
-Highway 38 from Angelus Oaks to Lake Williams.
-Jenks Lake Road
-Maple Lane at Big Bear Lake (for fire equipment movement)
-All hiking trails into the San Gorgonio Wilderness
-Pacific Crest Trail from Whitewater Preserve to Onyx Summit.

Story Date: June 22, 2015