The Holcomb fire near Big Bear Lake burned for a second day, prompting fire officials to briefly evacuate an area northeast of Big Bear Lake. The fire has burned 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, and was 10 percent contained last night, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire caused rolling power outages Tuesday afternoon as temperatures in the mountains reached into the upper 80s. Areas in the direct path of the smoke were under an advisory from the South Coast Air Quality Management District that conditions were unhealthy Tuesday.
A spot fire burning near Baldwin Lake Road picked up Tuesday afternoon and ran through an area dangerously close to homes causing an evacuation. Just over two hours after the evacuations began, the orders were lifted. The power failure closed the doors to many businesses in the Big Bear area, including gas stations. Other gas stations not affected by the power outage sold out of fuel and were forced to turn away customers. Highway 18 remains closed between the Mitsubishi Cement Plant and Delta Avenue near Baldwin Lake. Several forest roads are closed, as well as a section of the popular Pacific Crest Trail between Highway 18 and Van Duesen Canyon Road. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
BIG BEAR FIRE NOW 1,200 ACRES, 10% CONTAINED
