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Cause of Lower Fire Under Investigation (Update 2)

Wind-Swept Blaze Blackens Five Acres

By News Team
Thursday, October 29, 2009

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Update 2 - Thursday 3:45 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - A suspicious fire blackened five acres just off Highway 18 at Lower Waterman Canyon Road before firefighters could knock down the wind-swept blaze.

The Lower Fire near Highway 18 and Lower Waterman Canyon Road burned right over the top of a high pressure gas pipleline. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The 2:21 p.m. Lower Fire, which was reported by three Lake Arrowhead residents who tried to halt the fire before firefighters arrived, was located in San Bernardino just around the bend from Sierra Way.

Fire crews contained the Lower Fire on Highway 18 in San Bernardino at roughly 5-acres. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Highway 18 was closed for several hours during the firefighting operations to allow Caltrans to clean-up the roadway that was bombarded by retardant from an aircraft brought in to assist ground crews.

A retardant drop on the Lower Fire also covered a San Bernardino City Fire unit and sections of Highway 18. The roadway was closed while crews washed down the roadway between Sierra Way and Lower Waterman Canyon Road. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

U.S. Forest Service personnel, who had been on patrol were the first responders, and were soon joined by about 100 firefighters from San Bernardino City, CAL FIRE and several Hot Shot crews.

Hot Shot crews patrol the perimeter of the Lower Fire that engulfed about 5-acres of brush near Lower Waterman Canyon Road. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"Red flag warnings were in effect at the time the blaze started and we had crews in the area," Forest Service Spokesperson Pam Bierce told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, "so we were able to knock down the fire very quickly."

Firefighters conducted mop-up operations on the Lower Fire for several hours after the blaze erupted at 2:21 p.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

During wind conditions, red flag patrols drive through the area looking for spot fires. In addition, various fire agencies have beefed up crews and strike teams to respond to any fires.

The San Bernardino City Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department as well as U.S. Forest Service law enforcement units provided assistance during the Lower Fire.

Update - Wednesday 5:10 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Highway 18 has reopened following a 5-acre wildfire at Lower Waterman Canyon Road. The fire is under investigation.

Three Lake Arrowhead residents spotted the Lower Fire on Highway 18 and tried to extinguish the blaze before firefighters could arrive on scene. The Good Samaritans provided statements to investigators prior to heading back up the hill. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Three Lake Arrowhead residents reported the fire and tried to extinguish the blaze that brought a full response from emergency personnel including the lead agency — San Bernardino City Fire.

Several trees ignited during the Lower Fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon shortly after 2:20 p.m. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The fire was located opposite Old Waterman Canyon Road in the City of San Bernardino. Over 100 firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze that started at 2:21 p.m. today.

Original Story

Highway 18 is closed due to a wildfire burning at Lower Waterman Canyon. The blaze is about one acre in size, burning in light fuel with a moderate rate of spread. Air attack units are responding to support ground units.

All traffic is being re-routed to highway 330.

Scanner transmissions indicate fire is 'knocked down'.

Details to follow.