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Bluecut Fire - photo USFS

Firefighters Trapped While Defending Homes On Bluecut Fire

CALIFORNIA — Over 10,000 firefighters are battling 8 large wildfires across California. While making good progress on six of these blazes, two new fires ignited yesterday, rapidly burning more than 30,000 acres in southern California.

The Bluecut Fire started yesterday at 10:36 a.m. in the Cajon Pass west of Interstate 15, and quickly grew to over 30,000 acres prompting the evacuation of an estimated 34,500 homes and affecting nearly 83,000 people.

There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Oak Hills, and surrounding areas. Some 1,309 personnel are assigned to the incident, including 152 engines, 18 crews, 8 air tankers, 2 Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS), and 8 helicopters, including night flying helicopters.

Six San Bernardino County (SBCoFD) firefighters became entrapped by wildfire yesterday while defending homes and assisting evacuations in the Swarthout Canyon area west of Cajon Pass.

The firefighters were able to shelter in place within a nearby structure, but two sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released and are now back on the fireline defending structures. One SBCoFD fire engine sustained moderate fire damage.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the mountains and desert foothills of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. Gusty winds, low humidity and high temperatures bring elevated fire danger to the area.

In northern California, a Red Flag Warning is in effect in western Siskiyou County for strong winds and low relative humidity.

Everyone is reminded to be prepared and know your evacuation routes, which can save your life. Leave as soon as evacuations orders are given by fire and law enforcement officials to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. Residents who refuse to evacuate put their own and other people’s lives at risk.

Would you know what to do if you became trapped by a wildfire? Most importantly, stay calm. But before you’re in the midst of a fast-moving disaster, learn what you need to do whether at home, in your car or on foot when a wildfire strikes.

Visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/What-To-Do-If-Trapped for more information.

**CAL FIRE Incidents**

Clayton Fire, Lake County

Off Highway 29, Lower Lake area

•3,929 acres and 40 percent contained

•Evacuations in effect

•380 structures threatened

•Over 175 residences and structures destroyed

Chimney Fire, San Luis Obispo County

South of Lake Nacimiento

•7,300 acres and 25 percent contained

•Evacuations in effect

•232 structures threatened

•40 structures destroyed

Mineral Fire, Fresno County

Off Highway 198, 8 miles west of Coalinga

•7,050 acres and 95 percent contained

Summit Fire, Humboldt County

8 miles west of Willow Creek

•21 acres and 90 percent contained

**Unified Command Incidents**

Blue Cut Fire, San Bernardino County

I-15 and Blue Cut, south of Hesperia

•30,000 acres, no containment

•34,500 homes affected by evacuation warnings

•Numerous structures destroyed

•Imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Cree, Wrightwood, Oak Hills and surrounding areas.

Soberanes Fire, Monterey County

Big Sur area

Unified Command: CAL FIRE, USFS and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office

•76,683 acres and 60 percent contained

•Evacuations in effect

•410 structures threatened

•68 structures destroyed including 57 residences

**Federal Incidents**

Horseshoe Fire, Inyo County

12 miles southwest of Lone Pine
US Forest Service – Inyo National Forest

•369 acres and 95 percent contained

Cedar Fire, Kern County

•300 acres, no containment

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