Control of Big Bear fire is expected today
Firefighters continued to make progress Wednesday on a blaze that has charred more than 14,000 acres of steep forest terrain near Big Bear Lake, enough to lift a mandatory evacuation of the mountain community of Fawnskin.
Aided by two nights of high humidity and low temperatures, fire officials reported the Butler 2 fire was 86% contained after starting west of Fawnskin.
They expect to contain the fire late today.
“The weather’s been very helpful,” said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Robin Prince. “The fire isn’t doing a whole lot. It’s smoldering. There aren’t any open flames.”
Shoring up containment lines around the edge of the fire has been slow because of the steep terrain. Meanwhile, crews braced for a storm expected to hit the area this week.
“Rain could be a good or bad thing. We have a lot of burnout material, and [California] 18 has the potential to have major rock and mudslides this winter,” Prince said. In addition, fire officials worried that predicted gusts of up to 40 mph preceding the storm could cause the fire to reignite.
Fire officials lifted the mandatory evacuation order for about 1,200 residents of Fawnskin late Wednesday.
Residents can return to their homes via California 38, from the north.
California 18 will remain closed at least through Monday between Arrowbear and Big Bear Discovery Center because of falling rocks, officials said.
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