Dry Weather Makes For Tough Battle Against Holcomb Fire, Now Burning Over 1,500 Acres

BIG BEAR LAKE (CBSLA.com) – Hundreds of firefighters were working tirelessly to make progress on the Holcomb Fire burning northeast of Big Bear Lake Thursday.

The fire had scorched 1,562 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest as of 9 p.m. It was 35 percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service said.

The fire broke out Monday afternoon. 1,273 fire personnel, nine water-dropping choppers and four air tankers were assigned to the blaze. There was no report of any structural damage or serious injuries. The cause is under investigation.

The fire temporarily forced mandatory evacuations Tuesday in the Baldwin Lake area. However, the evacuation order was lifted that same day.

Warm, dry weather that is expected through the weekend, coupled with rough terrain, could continue to hamper firefighting efforts. The fire is burning through brush, chaparral and timber.

The following road closures remain in place:

-- Highway 18 is closed from Delta Avenue north to the intersection with the Mitsubishi Cement Plant.
-- 3N16 at 3N09
-- Holcomb Valley Rd East closed at Hwy 18
-- 3N69 at Hwy 18
-- 3N61 Jacoby Canyon Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail was closed between Highway 18 and Van Dusen Road.

The Doble Trail and Tanglewood Group campgrounds were also closed.

Firefighters with USFS, the Bureau of Land Management, San Bernardino County, CAL FIRE and the Big Bear Fire Authority were all engaged in the firefight, which was led by the USFS Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team.