Sheep Fire contained at 85%, mop-up continues; life returns to normal near Wrightwood

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
Firefighters on Thursday continued mop-up efforts at the Sheep Fire near Wrightwood, which was at 865 acres, with 85% containment.
Firefighters on Thursday continued mop-up efforts at the Sheep Fire near Wrightwood, which was at 865 acres, with 85% containment.

Firefighters on Thursday morning continued mopping up the Sheep Fire near Wrightwood, which was at 865 acres, with 85% containment.

No columns of smoke were reported Wednesday night as firefighters worked to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hotspots, fire officials said.

About 725 firefighters worked the fire on Wednesday, mostly from San Bernardino County Fire, Cal Fire, and the Angeles National Forest.

The extent of the work included digging more hand lines around the fire. Overnight, firefighters located hotspots and monitored fire behavior to protect nearby communities.

Fire agencies feel confident that crews will achieve further containment of the fire with the current resources at hand.

Firefighters on Thursday are expected to encounter another warm and dry day with an increase in southwesterly winds at higher elevations.

Overall, fire managers express no major concerns for the Sheep Fire, and fire crews will remain vigilant for interior heat within the fire perimeter.

Yesterday, Caltrans reopened the portion of Highway 2 that was closed between Wright Mountain Road to Desert Front Road.

Southern California Edison has scheduled a maintenance power outage on Thursday as crews work in the fire area on Thursday. Traffic delays are expected throughout the area.

All evacuation orders and warnings for the communities of Wrightwood and Desert Front have been lifted.

Firefighters on Thursday continued mop-up efforts for the Sheep Fire near Wrightwood, which was at 865 acres, with 85% containment.
Firefighters on Thursday continued mop-up efforts for the Sheep Fire near Wrightwood, which was at 865 acres, with 85% containment.

Fire officials reported that the reduction of total reported acreage for the Sheep Fire is a result of the geographical information system refining islands and perimeter lines.

On Saturday night, the start of the fire was reported to Angeles National Forest Dispatch by SBC Fire. At that time, the fire was initially reported at nearly one-quarter acre in size.

After firefighting units headed to the scene near Wrightwood, by 8:30 p.m. the fire had grown to nearly 30 acres in size.

Additional firefighters, engines, aircraft, and other resources were dispatched, with night-flying operations ongoing.

Fighting the fire had been especially challenging due to dense vegetation, steep terrain, and high and erratic winds

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Anticipated fire activity

Caltrans crews on Wednesday worked to get Highway 2 reopened after the Sheep Fire swept through the area near Wrightwood.
Caltrans crews on Wednesday worked to get Highway 2 reopened after the Sheep Fire swept through the area near Wrightwood.

A forecast by fire officials through Saturday includes expected warming/drying conditions, with minimal fire activity anticipated unless fire escapes containment lines.

Any escaping fire on the west flank of the blaze has the potential of rolling out and flaring up along steep slopes directly above the community of Wrightwood.

Through Thursday, interior unburned islands may continue to burn themselves out with mostly low intensity, smoldering and creeping.

While likely not a threat, any fire activity and smoke would be visible along Highway 2.

On Friday, minimal fire activity is expected as firefighters strengthen containment lines.

Heading into the weekend, the fire is likely to exhibit very low activity with a few areas well interior that will continue to smolder and burn themselves out.

Road conditions, evacuation and utilities

In Wrightwood, a Mountain High ski resort employee posts a sign appreciating firefighters for efforts in battling the Sheep Fire that began Saturday and was nearly full contained on Thursday.
In Wrightwood, a Mountain High ski resort employee posts a sign appreciating firefighters for efforts in battling the Sheep Fire that began Saturday and was nearly full contained on Thursday.

Caltrans District 8 officials reported on Wednesday that guardrail, sign and tree crews expedited work and fixed all of Hwy. 2's safety-sensitive items for travel ahead of schedule.

On Tuesday night, all evacuation warnings and orders for the Sheep Fire were lifted, according to San Bernardino County Fire officials.

The Red Cross has also closed its evacuation center at Serrano High School in Phelan.

Due to the fire and road closures, CR&R employees were prevented from picking up residential trash on Monday

As a result, customers will have their trash picked up next Monday, according to the Wrightwood Community Services District.

To help wireless customers affected by the Sheep Fire, AT&T is waiving overage charges to provide unlimited talk, text and data for AT&T postpaid and prepaid customers with billing addresses in the 92397 zip code through June 20.

AT&T customers in these areas may still receive alerts during these dates, but accounts will reflect the credits and/or waived data, voice and text charges.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Sheep Fire contained at 85%, mop-up continues near Wrightwood