WRIGHTWOOD – (INT) – Among the unsung heroes who fought the Blue Cut Fire are the bulldozer operators who get credit for saving this mountain community.

During the second day of the fast-moving fire, fire engines and aircraft could not access one flank of the fire between Circle Mountain and Highway 2.

San Bernardino County fire Captain Shane Glaze and his crew of bulldozers forged a 50-foot wide fire line that prevented the Blue Cut Fire from entering Wrightwood.

Flames shot as high as 150 feet as the fire approached the dozer line. Dozers encircled and suffocated any spot fires that jumped over the line. The fire eventually burned back along Highway 2 northeast towards State Route 138, effectively securing Wrightwood.

“We could’ve put 50 fire engines in there and not been successful,” Captain Glaze said of the strategy that called on the dozer crew.

The same crews continue working to rehabilitate roads affected by the Blue Cut Fire.

Story Date: August 29, 2016