LYTLE CREEK, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> A large wildfire is generating a significant smoke plume that is spreading over high desert. Photo above is credit by Coquio Gnz)
Crews are keeping a close watch on the 588-acre and remains at 0% containment as of 2pm. The “Vista Fire” in San Bernardino County is above the town of Mt. Badly and Lytle Creek, which is generating a smoke plume and causing smoky conditions in Apple and Lucerne Valley.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department the Vista Fire was reported near the Mt Baldy Mountain Ridge about 9:45am on Sunday July 7, 2024.
Update at 9pm Sunday: An evacuation order has been issued for the Mt. Baldy Ski Resort out of an abundance of caution. Portions of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed from the Lytle Creek area to Mt. Baldy, along with additional trails below Mt. Baldy.
Update on the fire: Lytle Creek Road is closed at Glen Helen Parkway to the public. Only residents can use the road. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from Lytle Creek to Mt. Baldy. The San Bernardino National Forest SBNF asks that hikers stay off trails in the Mt. Baldy area until further notice.
The fire is burning in steep rugged terrain and remained active overnight. Four aircraft assigned. Additional aircraft, equipment, crews, and overhead personnel have been ordered per San Bernardino National Forest Public Information Officer.
Check back for updates below:
4pm on Tuesday Update from San Bernardino NF: While the Vista Fire is putting up lots of smoke, it has not crested into the Mt. Baldy area. At this time of day, the fire is burning hotter, & portions of it are burning in dead & down fuels. With light winds, smoke is lingering and moving slowly to the east. The fire is 1,295 acres burned.
10am Wednesday the fire is at 2,354 acres and is burning closer to the town of Lytle Creek.
No structures are threatened at this time.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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