The growth of the Lake Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest slowed significantly over the weekend. After exploding to 10,000 acres in the first full day of the fire, the fire is now at 17,000 acres, or about 26 square miles, and is 19 percent contained. Nearly 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Carol Underhill said that although the blaze is directly west of Morongo Valley and Pioneertown, these areas are not under evacuation orders, and stresses there is no need to panic. The fire is about a dozen miles from Morongo Valley and Pioneertown, and in between are areas with little fuel, due to the Sawtooth Fire in 2006. In addition, the fire would have to burn downhill, which is slower going than burning uphill. However, Underhill urges residents to have evacuation plans for their families and pets in mind just in case. On Friday, CalFire staged 10 fire engines and one dozer in the Morongo Basin. Information boards on the fire are at the fire station in Morongo Valley, and in Pioneertown. The fire, which started Wednesday afternoon, has not crossed Highway 38 to the north, nor has it moved beyond the Pacific Crest Trail to the east. While 500 cabin and campground structures are threatened, not one has been damaged. High temperatures and westerly winds will continue to push smoke towards the Morongo Basin.
