Fire Closes Road to Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead

A wildfire swept across 1,000 acres on the rim of the San Bernardino Mountains Saturday, destroying at least 10 structures in the Running Springs area and prompting fire officials to shut down one of the main routes into the Lake Arrowhead-Big Bear Lake resort areas.

The blaze broke out about 1:30 p.m. in the forest off Highway 330, about six miles south of Running Springs, said Hal Seyden, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

By sundown, the blaze had destroyed seven structures in Smiley Park and three structure in Live Oaks, Seyden said, adding that he was unsure of whether the destroyed buildings were actually dwellings. “I’m assuming they’re cabins,” he said.

Fire officials evacuated the area surrounding Running Springs, setting up a shelter at the Rim of the World High School, Seyden said. The U.S. Forest service also closed Highway 330--which winds north into the mountains from the San Bernardino area--from Highland Avenue to Running Springs, he said.

About 25 fire engines, two helicopters and 15 hand crews--each consisting of 20 firefighters--were called in to help battle the blaze. More help was expected to arrive by nightfall.

Meanwhile in the Los Angeles area, firefighters from Burbank, Pasadena and Los Angeles County extinguished a blaze that charred 10 acres near the Glendale Freeway.

No injuries or structural damage were reported in the fire, which started at about 2:30 p.m. and was put out by 5 p.m., officials said. The fire earlier forced the evacuation of 30 people from Montrose Community Park.