The Cherry Valley wildfire, a residential area east of Los Angeles, has already burned more than 11,300 hectares (28,085 acres) and caused injuries to at least one firefighter, authorities in California confirmed on Thursday. .
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The so-called Apple Fire that broke out Friday near the city of San Bernardino has so far charred more than 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of land, sending up columns of smoke visible from far away. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)
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This follows from the latest update of the San Bernardino National Forest Unit on the evolution of the fire, which has been contained in 30% of its extension and it is calculated that it will not be completely quelled until August 17.
“The fire was active last night on the east and west flanks. Ground crews continued to build containment lines in the Pine Bench area and made good progress in the western perimeter east of Oak Glen, ”they said in their daily morning statement.
So far, at least one firefighter has been injured by the flames of this fire that is already affecting different parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
In addition, up to 12 buildings or houses have been damaged, according to the latest official reports.
The human origin of the fire was also discovered this week: the malfunction of the exhaust pipe of a diesel vehicle.
As a result of the flames, some 7,800 people have been evicted from their homes in Cherry Valley, a community located in Riverside County, a number that has not grown in the past few hours.
Residents of the Oak Glen and Potato Canyon areas in neighboring San Bernardino County have also been asked to vacate their homes as a precaution.
The evacuated neighbors are being temporarily housed in local hotels and in the facilities of a local secondary school, maintaining the necessary protocols by COVID-19, with temperature control upon arrival, safety distances and the use of masks.
What has increased is the number of people displaced to fight the fire, since more than 2,500 troops are working on the site to put out the flames.
In its early days, the National Weather Service released images taken by its satellites showing that the smoke generated by the fire reached as far as Phoenix, Arizona, nearly 500 kilometers away. EFE
