ANGELUS OAKS – (INT) – As weary firefighters mourn the loss of one of their own, some evacuees previously in the path of the El Dorado Fire are being allowed to return home.

The firefighter who was killed Thursday night protecting Angelus Oaks was among more than 1300 personnel assigned to the fire which has defied containment 2-weeks after it was started by a pyrotechnic device at a ‘gender reveal’ party near Yucaipa.

A mandatory evacuation was downgraded Friday to a warning for residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls. Residents must have a valid ID.

All other evacuation orders remain. Highway 38 remains closed at Valley of the Falls Drive. Authorities say that Forest Falls is without power and cell service is sketchy.

As for the fire, it continues burning actively on the northeast flank. Containment has been downgraded to 59% as spot fires are fought.

Southern California’s three major wildfires continue to pollute the skies with drift smoke.

The Bobcat, El Dorado, and Snow Fires are producing substantial amounts of smoke based on satellite and webcam imagery.

“Areas in direct proximity to the Bobcat, El Dorado, and Snow Fires will experience the highest AQI levels due to smoke impacts. Smoke and ash impacts will be highly variable in both timing and location through Saturday,” the AQMD said.

Mount Wilson has been declared safe as the Bobcat Fire advances toward the Antelope Valley. An evacuation warning was issued earlier for Wrightwood and Pinon Hills.

The Snow Fire at the bottom of Mt. San Jacinto in Riverside County continues to expand. It has covered more than 6,000 acres since it was started by a vehicle fire Thursday at Snow Creek Village east of Cabazon.

Story Date: September 20, 2020