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Cost To Battle 17,000-Acre Lake Fire Grows To Estimated $6.9M

BIG BEAR LAKE (CBSLA.com) — A more than 17,000-acre fire burning south of Big Bear Lake has cost, thus far, an estimated $6.9 million to fight, according to fire officials.

The Lake Fire reportedly had grown to 17,405 acres and was 30 percent contained as of 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Five hundred structures, many of them cabins, were under threat as flames continued to spread across the San Bernardino Mountains.

Three injuries were reported. Details of those injuries were not immediately clear.

More than 1,900 personnel were called in to battle the blaze, with 118 engines, 17 helicopters, 16 water tenders, eight airtankers and guide planes and five dozers aiding in the fight.

Officials say the fire line is "well-established" alongside Highway 38, which remains closed to the public.

However, they say lower temperatures Monday helped with containment, with most activity occurring in the northeast fire boundary, although hotspots remained on the southern perimeter.

         Evacuations remain in effect in the following areas:

        - All areas east of Angelus Oaks including: Barton Flats, Seven Oaks, Rainbow Lane, Heart Bar, and all cabins and campgrounds in the South Fork area

        Closures were as follows:

        - Highway 38 from Angelus Oaks to Lake Williams
        - Jenks Lake Road
        - Maple Lane in Big Bear Lake for fire equipment movement
        - All hiking trails into the San Gorgonio Wilderness
        - Pacific Crest Trail from Whitewater Preserve to Onyx Summit

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