NASA image: Lake fire and San Gorgonio fire in California
Monday, June 22, 2015 - 17:00
in Earth & Climate
The Lake Fire (the larger of the two fires) is burning in the northern portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. All hiking trails into the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area have been closed due to the proximity of the fire to these trails. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from Whitewater Preserve to Onyx Summit. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It is approximately 17,305 acres in size and burning in old-growth timber in the San Bernardino Mountains that fire officials said Friday hasn't burned in decades. Since the area hasn't burned, there is lot of fuel, and in a record drought year, that can make the firefighting efforts more difficult. It is currently 21% contained.