LOCAL FIRE CREWS BATTLING ETIWANDA FIRE

Fire crews from the Yucca Valley Fire Station 41 and Yucca Mesa Station 42 have been sent to help fight the Etiwanda fire, near Rancho Cucamonga. The wildfire, which started about 8 a.m. Wednesday in the foothills north of the 210 freeway, quickly spread to 200 acres in just two hours due to wind gusts of 60 to 75 miles per hour. The fire was at 1,000 acres this morning. Station 41 sent a brush engine with four firefighters; Station 42 sent a water tender with two fire fighters. Wonder Valley firefighters were sent Wednesday as part of a “gel” crew, to spray homes threatened by the fire with a gel-like fire retardant. The County Fire Department has issued a red flag warning throughout the county. Red flag warnings indicate that conditions of high winds and low humidity are ideal for starting and spreading wildland fires. During the red flag warning, which expires 6 a.m. Saturday, May 3, all burn permits have been suspended. The Fire Department reminds residents they must obtain burn permits for all open burning anywhere in the county.