Fast-moving Hesperia Fire prompts evacuations

A rapidly growing wildfire in Hesperia prompted evacuations Saturday evening.

The Hesperia Fire was first reported around 6 p.m. in the 18000 block of North Highway 173, according to CAL FIRE San Bernardino.

By 8 p.m., the area reached more than 300 acres, and by 9 p.m., it exceeded 500 acres.

An evacuation warning is in place for the community of Lake Arrowhead Estates, near Highway 173 and Arrowhead Lake Road. Road closures in the area were also issued by the California Highway Patrol.

Firefighters and air crews responded to the scene to fight the fire. As of 10 p.m., the fire was zero percent contained.

The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation. Officials said the expansion remains wind driven and continues to burn northward.

“Ground and air crews continue to work on permittee screening, containment lines and structure protection,” the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.

A poor air quality warning due to smoke from the fire was issued Saturday evening by the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

This advisory covers San Bernardino County and will remain in effect until Sunday, June 16.

“This advisory may be extended or modified further, based on smoke and fire behavior, firefighting efforts, NWS forecasts and air quality,” officials said.

Residents in the area were urged to take precautions. The people most susceptible to problems related to unhealthy air are children, the elderly and people with heart and respiratory diseases.

In areas affected by smoke or bad air, residents should:

• Remember to avoid any vigorous exercise outdoors or indoors
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Run your air conditioner if you have one – the recirculation function is ideal
• Avoid using a swamp cooler or fan throughout your home to avoid bringing outdoor pollutants indoors.
• People with respiratory or heart diseases, the elderly and children should stay indoors.

More information about CAL FIRE can be found here.

Saturday evening, firefighters continued to battle the fire that broke out near Highway 5 in Gorman. This fire has grown to over 4,400 acres.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.