On July 29, 2020, the 2020 fire season kicked off locally with the Brook Fire. At approximately 4:00pm the Brook Fire erupted near Route 66 or Cajon Blvd and Keenbrook Road in the Cajon Pass. It was initially a 3-4 acre fire that grew to 185 acres. The fire, now 100% contained as of July 29, 2020, burned along the Blue Cut burn scare, which burned over 35,000 acres in 2016. According to San Bernardino National Forest officials, crews will continue to patrol and mop up any lingering hot spots for the next several days to weeks.
Fire personnel, about 166, were assigned to the fire with three air tankers, four helicopters, and one air attack. However, these numbers were initially much higher, and several aircraft were called in some flying in from northern California and other states.
Soon after, the Dam Fire erupted in the ANF above Azusa (200 acres, nearly contained), and the Apple Fire erupted in the SBNF above Oak Glenn, currently almost 27,000 acres and only 15% contained. And the list goes on as Southern California pushes through a streak of high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds.
