LEFT Photo Courtesy of Andrew Acosta Photography RIGHT
Photo Courtesy of
Brandy Carlos
Wildfire
Spread at County Line in Fontana & Riverside
Photos Courtesy of Brandy Carlos, FIRE Photo Girl
More than 50
Engines and 250 firefighters worked the Karen
Fire.
Thanks to our cooperators
San Bernardino
County Fire, CalFire and
Riverside County
Fire for their assistance and hard work.
Saturday July 25th, the
San Bernardino County Fire units were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire
in the Jurupa Hills near Sierra Ave and Jurupa. Due to the proximity of the San
Bernardino / Riverside County line, CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire sent a
full response as well as aircraft.
Units from both Fire agencies arrived
on-scene and found two spots burning in light to medium fuels at a rapid rate
of spread. Due to the fire burning in both jurisdictions, Incident Commanders
entered Unified Command. The Unified Commanders worked hand in
hand to determine tactics, strategy and order adequate resources to suppress
the quickly moving fire.
The fire quickly spread up the
hillside burning toward the City of Fontana. Crews anchored in, working on
perimeter control while crews scouted ahead of the fire to forecast structure
threat. While scouting, the fire-fighting crews found seven homes that would be
impacted.
#SBCoFD ordered 10 Engines for
structure defense. Eventually more than 15 Engines were ordered for structure defense
along Jurupa and Alder Avenues, in South Fontana. Ground and air crews
coordinated their attack to slow the spread and provide a buffer zone around
structures. By nightfall the fire had spread to more that 250 acres. Crews
remained on-scene throughout the evening working on perimeter control,
containment lines and mop-up.
#SBCoFD, CalFire, and Riverside
County Fire Crews remained on-scene throughout Sunday, working toward 100%
containment. By nightfall, mop-up was complete and the fire was 97% continued.
The fire burned a total of 277 acres, with 265 acres being in the City of
Fontana. Crews were successful in keeping the fire from damaging or destroying
homes. The fire is under investigation by fire investigators.
San Bernardino County Fire responded
with 15 Engines, 5 Chief Officers, 2 Water Tenders, a Dozer, a Hand Crew and a
Fire Investigator. CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire responded with 30 Engines,
5 Air Tankers, 2 Helicopters, 2 Air Attacks, 6 Hand Crews, 1 Water Tender and
10 Overhead personnel. Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Colton, Redlands and Rialto
all provided Mutual Aid. In total, more than 50 Engines and 250 firefighters
worked the Karen Fire. Thanks to our cooperators for their assistance and hard
work.
Remember to maintain a defensible
space for your home and property. Keep your property lean and green to help
protect your family and home. Defensible space is essential to improve your
home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a
building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area
that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire
and it helps protect your home from catching fire—either from direct flame
contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection
of the firefighters defending your home. For further see readyforwildfire.org
Photos Courtesy of Andrew Acosta Photos Courtesy of Brandy Carlos
Photos Courtesy of Brandy Carlos, FIRE Photo Girl