SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – San Bernardino National Forest officials announced today that three major fires have reached 100% containment. The Apple, El Dorado and Snow fires were previously at 95% containment because uncontained perimeters were located in steep and inaccessible terrain. Containment has now been achieved as fire in uncontained areas has reached natural features void of vegetation.
Although full containment has been reached, the three fires remain in a status called uncontrolled. That means smoldering continues within the interior of the burn scar perimeters. As an illustration of that, smoke continued to be seen from the El Dorado Fire in the Forest Falls, Calif., community last week after a winter storm brought several inches of snow to the area.
“We’re pleased to see this improvement, but we remain cautious,” said Deputy Fire Chief Scott Howes. “We’ve experienced below normal precipitation and several heat waves over the last six months. Temperatures continue to be high, the vegetation is drying out again and there is no new precipitation in sight.”
Fire restrictions on the forest will remain in effect until conditions improve. Campfires, dispersed camping, smoking and recreational target shooting are among a number of temporarily prohibited activities related to fire safety. All fire restrictions are listed on the San Bernardino National Forest webpage.