San Bernardino
National Forest
Battalion Chief Witnesses
Fire
Burns
160 Acres in Joshua Tree
San Bernardino County Fire (SBCoFD) units were dispatched August 18th Tuesday at 1:00 P.M.
to a reported vegetation fire in the area of Cascade & 4th in the community of Joshua Tree. A San Bernardino
National Forest Battalion Chief was passing through the area en-route to the Dome
Fire, witnessed a fire from a lightning strike.
Immediately,
the Battalion Chief reported 2-3 acres in light to medium fuels burning in the
Local Responsibility Area (LRA) but with a direct threat to Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) land. First
arriving, to the newest lighting fire, the Cascade Fire, the #SBCoFD Fire-fighting
Crews went to work with a priority of keeping the fire South of Broadway Avenue
and West of Copper Mountain College Road. Passing thunder-storms created
unpredictable and strong winds, fueling the fire the Cascade Fire. Due
to the fire’s rate of spread additional San Bernardino County Fire Crews were
started to attack the wildfire.
Within
20 minutes of arrival, the fire had grown to more than 50 acres. When winds died down, crews engaged the fire
directly, utilizing mobile pumping and progressive hose lays. By 2:00 P.M.
Tuesday, the fire spread to more than 100 acres.
Despite
the high temperatures, erratic winds and extremely dry vegetation the crews
managed to limit the Cascade Fire’s spread to 160 acres. The #SBCoFD
Fire-fighting Crews were successful in keeping the fire to LRA lands as well as,
they kept the wildfire from spreading to adjacent BLM land. Once the forward
rate of spread was stopped, the crews transitioned to working on mop-up
operations and containment line construction. The Cascade Fire
ultimately burned 160 acres. The Fire Crews remained on-scene well into the
afternoon mopping up.
PHOTOS Courtesy of Chris Nichols
San
Bernardino County Fire responded with (3) Medic Engines, (3) Brush Engines, (2)
Water Tenders, (2) Battalion Chiefs, a Hand Crew and a Safety Officer. More
than 40 #SBCoFD Firefighters worked the fire. While local Firefighters were
committed to the incident #SBCoFD move-up apparatus were brought-in to ensure
Fire/EMS coverage was uninterrupted. Combat Center also assisted while ME44 (29
Palms) was committed. BLM responded with (2) Engines and a Chief Officer.
