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At approximately 4:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 a fire erupted near Route 66 (Cajon Blvd) and Keenbrook Road in the Cajon Pass. Initially a 3-4 acre fire, as of 5:15 pm, it has now grown to 50+ acres with a potential to reach 200-300 acres. Mountain Lakes resort is under evacuation orders. Both air and ground crews are fighting the wildfire called the Brook Fire (#BrookFire). There is heave smoke being reported across all lanes of Interstate 15, however the fire is not burning towards the freeway. There are 8 helicopters and 8 tankers tasked to the fire including Tanker 15 and 131 (Redding), Chopper 40king6 (San Bernardino), and Helitanker 780 (Porterville). VLAT Tanker 914 has also been assigned to the fire and is en route from Santa Maria. Several ground crews, engines, dozers and other ground equipment are also on scene.
Smoke can be seen and smelled in the Phelan, Pinon Hills and Wrightwood areas. Mojave Desert AQMD is monitoring the air quality for the Phelan area. They also issued this announcement: “Breathing wildfire smoke can be harmful. If you have respiratory issues, limit time outdoors to avoid exposure. If you smell smoke, you’re breathing it. Please share this information with anyone who may be affected in the Phelan area.”
As of 5:27 pm SoCal Incident Command believes the fire will likely stay less than 200 acres as tankers are working the head and left shoulder of the fire and making good progress.
6:25 pm: Incident Command is reporting the fire at 200 acres with a potential for 300-500 acres. The rate of spread is slow. From the Forest Service, Cajon Blvd is closed between Kenwood Blvd and Cleghorn. Lytle Creek road is closed at Glen Helen except for local traffic with no evacuations in place.
7:57 pm: The Brook fire has burned 185 acres and is 10% contained. There are no evacuations at this time, but the road to Lytle Creek is still open to residents only. Ground crews will continue to have support from Chopter 531 and AA51 will be providing aerial supervision, infrared and camera support. The air tankers are done and a few hot spots are left, which the helicopters will take care of.
10:47 pm: As of about 10:00 pm San Bernardino County National Forest is reporting that the fire remains at 185 acres and is 10% contained. Fire crews will remain overnight. Lytle Creek Rd. and Cajon Blvd. have reopened.
Thursday, July 30, 2020 @ 10:22 am: The Brook fire is holding at 185 acres and is 25% contained. There are 166 personnel, 3 air tankers, 4 helicopters and 1 air attack assigned to the fire. Smoke may still be visible in the Lytle Creek/Devore areas. No road closures or evacuations are current in place. Incident Command is expecting hotter and drier weather today.
