Posted on 09/07/2020 9:00:36 AM PDT by granite
The wildfire that has burned more than 7,000 acres in Yucaipa and surrounding areas was caused by an explosive used during a gender reveal party, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The state agency said the fire started at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa on Saturday morning, when a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device at the party sparked the flames. The wildfire broke out at 10:23 a.m., spreading to areas further north and triggering mandatory evacuations, officials said.
Dubbed the El Dorado Fire, it more than doubled in size Sunday as firefighters grappled with challenging weather conditions of extreme heat and low humidity.
“I’ve been watching this fire the last two days, watching it grow,” said Deborah Reynolds, who lives in Yucaipa. “I never thought it would come as far as it did, and all of a sudden, it was leaping towards my home.”
“The fireman was knocking on the door for me to get out. I had to leave my cats; I grabbed water and my purse and I went,” Reynolds said. She waited in a parking lot and prayed for the best.
The wildfire burned about 3,010 acres and was 5% contained by Sunday afternoon, Cal Fire officials said. At 7 p.m., San Bernardino National Forest officials estimated it was about 7,050 acres while remaining at a containment of just 5%.
“Today’s weather is a concern as it’s predicted to be the hottest day of the heatwave,” officials with the San Bernardino National Forest said Sunday morning. “The vegetation is also extremely dry.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in San Bernardino County due to the wildfire and secured federal assistance to fight fires burning in other parts of the state.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts on the San Bernardino County website. The Red Cross has set up a reception site at the Yucaipa Community Center.
The wildfire pushed south across the northeast edge of Yucaipa, which led to some changes in evacuation orders through Sunday afternoon, according to fire officials.
Is it an anchor baby?
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