News & Columns > RIMOFTHEWORLD.net > 375-400 Acre LV Wildfire Holding (Update 12)

375-400 Acre LV Wildfire Holding (Update 12)

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Thursday, July 5, 2007

Afternoon wind gusts of up to 60 MPH have whipped a grass and brush fire burning near the Mitsubishi Plant up to 375 to 400 acres. The so-called Meridian Fire is burning to the north of Big Bear in the Lucerne Valley.

Firefighters had been trying to "pinch the head off" of the fire, according to scanner traffic, when wind gusts, up to 40 to 60 MPH, erupted in the area. The winds, smoke, and dust created near blackout conditions for firefighters on the ground. Winds did eventually die down and firefighters began backfire operations to choke the advancing fire. Those efforts appear to be slowing the fire down significantly and some equipment was being released.

The Meridian Fire is burning in open terrain and poses no threat to structures. Power lines to a private residence were reported down at the scene, and may have contributed to the fire. An increase in monsoonal moisture in the area has led to some thunderstorm development. Officials, however, have not detected any lightning strikes in the area.

The fire, first reported around 3:35 PM today, was being driven by 40 to 60 MPH wind gusts, 107-degree temperatures, and single-digit humidity. Winds from the east-north-east, at the time, primarily drove the fire toward the west and "away from the forest." The fire was burning in light brush and grass. Although it made a "hard run" at Meridian Road, firefighters were able to keep it to one side of the roadway.