Wabash Fire

At approximately 11:45 a.m. today, a fire was reported in the area of Redlands and Yucaipa, California.  The fire was near the Wabash road off of the east bound I-10 Freeway.  The first arriving CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit fire engines reported 2 to 3 acres, fast rate of spread with numerous spots fires.  The fire began adjacent to the freeway and burned rapidly up the hillside fueled by steep slopes and dead field grass.  There was also an immediate threat to homes above the ridge line.



Wabash fire racing up the hillside in the dry grass from the I-10 Fwy

CAL FIRE and Redlands Fire immediately assumed a unified command to fight the fire.  Fast response from CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service aircraft and CAL FIRE  and CAL FIRE/San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopters greatly assisted the firefighters in stopping the forward spread of the fire. The eastbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway were totally shut down for about 30 minutes and gradually opened too three eastbound lanes within the next hour.  The outside lane and the emergency parkway will remain closed until mop-up is completed.

Extreme fire activity even without the strong wilds of the last few days



A coyote running away from the flames

Approximately 150 firefighters were involved in fighting the fire and protecting the structures and the height of the incident.  No structures were reported damaged or destroyed, no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.  The fire burned 28.5 acres and is expected to be 100% contained by 8:00 a.m. this evening.  Full control is expected by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow Saturday, May 5, 2013.

CAL FIRE air tanker after retardant drop