On April 26, 2023 at approximately 10:45 am a wildfire was reported to the CHP near the intersection of Hess Road and Hwy 138. Several minutes later San Bernardino County Fire reported a wildfire near Lone Pine Canyon. Then Angeles National Forest reported a wildfire in the Lytle Creek area. A glimpse of the beginnings of a wildfire as reports came in and Emergency Response agencies try to determine what is creditable and what is solid information.
The Nob Fire started northwest of Lytle Creek in a remote area of the forest. Earlier in the day it was also reported that there was a prescribed burn in the area that got out of control however there were no prescribed burns occurring in the Lytle Creek area. The fire grew from 2-3 acres to over 200 acres by the afternoon and was burning into remote wilderness and show capped ridges. Air support was called in with about four tankers and two helicopters assisting in fire suppression. Tankers deployed retardant lines while choppers doused hot spots. Choppers used Lost Lake as their dip point and had dropped over 40,000 gallons as of April 30. Crews quickly arrived but the terrain was steep and remote which made the task at hand more difficult. By the end of the day, the section of the Pacific Crest Trail that traverses the area was closed as a safety precaution.
By April 30 the fire had burned 227 acres and was 73% contained with 200 personal on the fire. With cooler weather in the forecast it is expected they will reach full containment within a few days. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There were no evacuations ordered.
Forest Road 3N06 in Lytle Creek Canyon, the area around the fire, is closed, Lytle Creek Road is closed at Sycamore Canyon, and the Pacific Crest Trail is closed from I-15 to where the Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest Borders meet.
With the Nob Fire, begins the fire season for our local mountains and desert. Year over year the fire season seems to get longer and longer. The season now seems to be about 7 months out of the year. Weeds, wildflowers and new growth have erupted, especially in the foothills and desert floor which brings an additional fire hazard when the flora dries out and becomes extremely flammable. Now is the time to have a look around, take steps to prevent the spread of fire in and around your property and start planning what you and your family will do should you find yourself in the path of a wildfire.
