Hesperia unites to help first responders during a fire

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

The Hesperia Recreation and Park District announced it has joined other city agencies and businesses to offer assistance to first responders during the recent Hesperia Fire.

Hesperia Lake became a place of refuge for first responders responding to the wildland fire that started Saturday evening near Highway 173 in Summit Valley and grew overnight to 1,330 acres.

Since then, firefighters on the ground and in the air have continued to battle the blaze, fueled by high winds and highly combustible vegetation, according to Cal Fire.

As of Wednesday evening, the fire has grown to 1,078 acres with 99% containment. Crews continue to clean and remove thousands of feet of hoses used in the attack, San Bernardino County firefighters said.

Skipper to the rescue

As the fire approached homes, the park district closed Hesperia Lake to the public and set up operations there to assist firefighters, sheriff and ambulances, park district officials said.

The park is located northeast of the fire on Arrowhead Lake Road.

In the park, local restaurant Tom's Burgers provided breakfast for firefighters and volunteers. Texas Roadhouse also hosted a buffet dinner for more than 300 workers. The city also provided ice cream, park officials said.

“It is important that all city agencies work together in times of crisis,” Park Director Shawna Irish said in a news release. “We are always ready to support our first responders and are happy to offer them our support. We were able to bring together local businesses to provide meals and refreshments to those working hard to fight the fires.

Irish and municipal officials came together to help create a light-hearted atmosphere so everyone could feel appreciated and ready to continue their efforts to contain and extinguish the fire, the district said.

Park district officials announced that Hesperia Lake Park was reopened on Wednesday, June 19, and the lake was scheduled to be stocked with 1,000 pounds of catfish the next day.

Lake firefighters continue to occupy the front parking lot as well as half of the day-use area. The public is asked to avoid the area, district officials said.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

Skipper to the rescue

Lina Portman

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