Fires break out along highway 71

Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire this afternoon along the east side of highway 71 north of the highway 91 interchange. The Kennel fire was reported to CAL FIRE San Bernardino at 4:14 P.M. When the first fire engines arrived, they discovered that there were two fires. One was burning along highway 71 south of Euclid Avenue. The second blaze was burning in the Prado basin area also adjacent to highway 71,

More than 150 firefighters from CAL FIRE San Bernardino, Riverside CAL FIRE/County Fire, Chino Valley Fire, and Corona Fire responded to fight the fires. Nineteen fire engines, six hand crews, two water tenders, one bulldozer, and one helicopter fought the flames for about 90 minutes before containing the fires at 5:50 P.M.

Highway 71 was closed for a time in both directions. The southbound lanes were opened up around 4:20P.M. with the northbound lanes remaining closed until after 6:00 P.M. because of the firefighters and equipment that were working along side the roadway.

The two fires burned an estimated 17 acres total. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. The fire is expected to be controlled by 8:00 P.M. tonight. The cause of the fires is under investigation.