The 2024 wildfire season came in hot this week when the Hesperia Fire burned more than 1,000 acres in the High Desert, serving as an urgent reminder to San Bernardino County residents to prepare, be cautious and stay safe, especially with the Fourth of July right around the corner.
Thanks to the efforts of first responders from agencies that included the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, the Sheriff, the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire, no one was injured, no structures were damaged. As of yesterday, the fire is 99 percent contained with 1,078 acres burned. Mop-up continues and crews have begun to pack up equipment and hose lines. Firefighters remained on patrol for hot spots throughout the night.
The winds that fueled the fire’s spread pushed the flames toward a natural fire break and away from a path that might have led it into the mountains. An evacuation warning for Arrowhead Equestrian Estates was lifted and roads that had been closed were reopened. But firefighters warned the Hesperia Fire might have been a preview to what could be a fearsome wildfire season in San Bernardino County.
Residents are encouraged to visit San Bernardino County’s all-season disaster preparedness site, Preparedness Starts Here, for information on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire. County Fire reminds us that particularly devastating wildfires tend to strike the county every 20 years, and it’s been almost 24 years since the Grand Prix and Old fires burned more than 91,000 acres, destroyed 975 structures, and took the lives of six people.
Residents are urged to be on high alert during the present heatwave that will continue through the Fourth of July and beyond. Everyone is reminded that all fireworks are illegal in all of unincorporated San Bernardino County and the vast majority of cities and towns within the county. Authorities have developed effective measures to identify and apprehend offenders and the penalties are stiff.
Make a plan, sign up for alerts and survive what might be a very dangerous wildfire season.
Additional County Update News – June 20, 2024
- New County Fire headquarters revealed during ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Animal Care, Office of Emergency Services, Public Health join forces to promote National Pet Preparedness Month
- Code Enforcement efforts remove 134 tons of illegally dumped waste from Adelanto
- Regional Parks secures $1M in funding for Glen Helen Regional Park improvements
- Aging & Adult Services raising awareness on signs of elder abuse, neglect
- Yucaipa Regional Park hosts Summer Kick-Off event with animal presentation show, activities, food, more
- Operation Consequences June 8 through June 14
- San Bernardino County destinations
- San Bernardino County history
- Things to Do in San Bernardino County
- Pet of the Week