Wildfire Threatens Nearly 300 Homes
A wildfire burned across 500 acres of brush Saturday near a desert town in San Bernardino County, threatening nearly 300 homes and prompting residents to flee, authorities said.
The fire began about 4:30 p.m. on a mesa before spreading down a hillside to within 100 yards of ranch homes and trailers in Pioneertown, outside Yucca Valley and about 115 miles east of Los Angeles, said Bill Peters, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Some residents left town after authorities called for voluntary evacuations, though it was unclear how many.
No one was injured, Peters said.
More than 180 firefighters worked to cut lines around the blaze. They were aided by helicopters and air tankers during the day, and moderate, northeast winds that pushed the fire away from the town by nightfall.
“If we get any dramatic winds tonight, it could kick up some hot spots,” Peters said. “But if the winds stay calm ... we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
Peters said it was unclear when firefighters might contain the blaze.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
