Vegetation Fire Prompts Mandatory Evacuations In Apple Valley - CBS Local

APPLE VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Strong winds are fueling a vegetation fire that erupted in Apple Valley Tuesday, burning one building and threatening several homes, according to fire officials.


The blaze, which started in a riverbed on the far west side of Mojave Narrows Regional Park, near Pelican Lake, was reported at 11:50 a.m. and had expanded to 70 acres by 4 p.m., a San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson told CBS2/KCAL9.


Around 100 structures in the area of Riverside Drive and Seneca were being threatened by the flames, fire officials said. A vehicle located near a burned building could be seen smouldering by SKY9 overhead.


Mandatory evacuations were issued for residents and animals living along Riverside Drive north of Seneca and between Riverside Way and Nokomis Road. An evacuation was also issued at Sitting Bull Elementary School, located in the 19000 block of Sitting Bull Road.


Residents were on edge as windy conditions pushed flames toward homes.


“I’m just scared to death, you know,” said Apple Valley resident Michael Campanella. “I just pray that my house is still going to be there standing, you know, when this is all done. I was working when I got a phone call that the riverbed was on fire. I got home as soon as I could and just had enough [time] to be able to get my animals out and load them in my car and the shirt on my back is pretty much all I have left.”


Officials have not reported any injuries at this time.


Multiple strike teams, two water-dropping helicopters and over 200 personnel are on the scene.






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