Gusty winds prevent air attack on growing Etiwanda wildfire
A fast-moving wildfire in Day Canyon is 800 acres and growing in the Etiwanda Reserve north of Rancho Cucamonga.
Strong, gusty winds that are preventing firefighters from using aircraft to attack the Etiwanda wildfire in San Bernardino County are expected to blow through Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service says.
Red flag warnings and wind advisories were scheduled to expire around 4 p.m. Thursday, said NWS specialist Stuart Seto. Blustery conditions — although not as strong — will persist through Friday afternoon, when a cooling trend is expected to begin, he said.
The winds have made it difficult for firefighters to attack the Etiwanda fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. It has burned 800 acres since igniting Wednesday morning and forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes and some schools in Rancho Cucamonga.
Cal Fire spokeswoman Liz Brown said winds in the mountains were gusting Wednesday at 80 mph, preventing the use of aircraft to make water drops.
Forecasters say winds in the foothills and valleys were blowing from 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. In the mountains winds were peaking at up to 90 mph.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for portions of western San Bernardino and Riverside counties and eastern Los Angeles County.
Weather officials said winds would decrease late Wednesday afternoon, picking up again at night.
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