Fire Erupts In San Bernardino National Forest and Mandatory Evacuations Ordered

A wind-driven vegetation fire broke out in the San Bernardino National Forest early Thursday morning, scorching at least 50 acres in the hills above San Bernardino and forcing dozens of residents to flee their homes. Forest Service firefighters were on the scene of the Old Water Fire in San Bernardino on Highway 18 near Old Waterman Canyon Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. 

Mandatory evacuations were underway for a portion of north San Bernardino near Mariposa Drive and David Way as a vegetation fire consumed 50-100 acres near Old Waterman Canyon Road and Hwy 18 in the San Bernardino National Forest as the Santa Ana winds picked up Thursday morning, the San Bernardino National Forest Service said.

The blaze was burning approximately five miles from where the Cal State San Bernardino campus is located at, which is closed Thursday.

According to a US Forrest Service tweet, Mandatory evacuations on the #OldWaterFire are under way for a portion of north San Bernardino near Mariposa Dr. and David Way.

Here’s the latest:

Closures: Highway 18 is closed between 40th Street in San Bernardino and Highway 138 in Crestline (a closure is also in place near Lake Gregory Dr).
Structure protection is in place for 20-30 homes in the Mariposa Dr/David Way area of north San Bernardino. There are no evacuations at this time.
The fire is estimated to be 50-100 acres in size with 0% containment,
The cause is under investigation.
The Forest Service is in unified command with San Bernardino County Fire and San Bernardino Police Department. Assisting agencies include CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit and Cal OES.

#OldWaterFire Update:

– Est. 20-30 acres, 0% containment
– The structure protection is implemented for 20-30 homes in the Mariposa Dr / David Way area of ​​northern San Bernardino
– Highway 18 is closed b / w 40th St. in San Bernardino and Highway 138 in Crestline
– Because it is under investigation
– San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) October 24, 2019

Forest Service firefighters were tackling the blaze, alongside county firefighters. It was not immediately known how the fire started, and officials said the cause was under investigation.