Oct 3, 2009 11:04 pm US/Pacific
Sheep Fire Destroys 3 Homes
LYTLE CREEK, Calif. (CBS) ―
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The Sheep Fire is being driven by gusty, cold winds and is threatening 300 homes in San Bernardino County.
CBS
A wind-driven fire that broke out in the San Bernardino National Forest has destroyed three homes and is threatening hundreds more.
U.S. Forest Service fire information officer Norma Bailey says the three homes were located in the Swarthout Canyon area of Lytle Creek, a small community in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Authorities say the 1,500-acre blaze broke out shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday in the northeast corner of Lytle Creek, about 15 miles from San Bernardino and 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Gusty winds are pushing the flames in a north/northwesterly direction.
U.S. Forest Service fire information officer Barbara Duruisseau says the blaze is about 5 percent contained and threatens 300 more homes.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller says some people in the small community have been asked to evacuate and a few local roads in the area have been closed. He says one firefighter sustained minor injuries.
Evacuations have been ordered in the West Canyon Valley, Apple White Campground, Happy Jack area, areas east of Lytle Creek Road, north to Mountain Lakes RV Park and south of North of Highway 138 from the 15 Freeway to Hess Road. Roads have been closed at Lytle Creek and Lone Pine Canyon.
The fire's cause was not immediately known.
Approximately 550 firefighters are attacking the flames with helicopters, water-dropping planes and dozens of fire engines.
Lytle Creek is a few miles west of Interstate 15, a major route connecting Southern California to Las Vegas.
Windy conditions are the biggest concern for firefighters, who fear the fire will move to the Cajon Valley, where there are more homes.
Authorities have set up an evacuation center at Eisenhower High School on North Lilac and Rialto.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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