Ten Small Lightning Fires; "Sugar Fire" Contained

File Photo As of 8 PM Thursday, crews were working on ten lightning sparked fires are burning in Big Bear area and San Gorgonio Wilderness area, according to the San Bernardino National Forest Fire Information Center. Small spot fires and burning tree branches are in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, near Delarmar Mountains, and near Deer Creek. Each of these fires less than 1/4 acre in size. The largest fire, the "Sugar Fire" is burning on the south side of Sugarloaf Mountain. Crews have been working on these fire since they were first reported around 4:15 PM on Tuesday. The &qout;Sugar Fire" was the largest fire burned about 107 acres. It was contained at 5 PM on Thursday. Crews have hiked through the steep, rugged terrain to reach the "Sugar Fire" on Wednesday. Because of the rugged nature of the terrain, fire lines had to be cut a distance from the fire, allowing it to grow Wednesday night. The fires pose no immediate threat to homes or structures. In fact, according to the Fire Information Center, these fires will help provide a fire break to the south of Big Bear. There are not road closures. Smoke may be visible, at times, from Big Bear Valley, Angeles Oaks, Barton Flats, and the Santa Anna River Valley. Four additional Forest Service crews remain on standby, in case additional thunderstorms ignite new fires.

Created Thursday, August 12, 2004