Though firefighters made some progress in containing the raging Ranch Fire near Apple Valley, they’ve expressed doubts that conditions will remain favorable.
Though containment of the 4,205-acre blaze grew to 10% by Wednesday morning, fire officials said weather on Wednesday and Thursday would make further progress more difficult.
A combination of low humidity and “increasing southerly winds, with gusts up to 32 mph” Wednesday afternoon created “conditions that may challenge containment efforts,” Cal Fire said.
That figure is higher than an earlier estimate of 26 mph gusts.
“Poor to moderate overnight recovery is expected, with similar weather continuing into Thursday,” the agency added. “Crews will focus on strengthening containment lines, protecting structures, and continuing mop-up efforts throughout the day.”
The fire has already destroyed at least one home, and mandatory evacuations are in place from Milpas Drive to High Road, south of Highway 18.
An evacuation shelter was set up at Sitting Bull Academy at 19445 Sitting Bull Road in Apple Valley. An animal evacuation center has opened on the Victorville Fairgrounds at 1400 7th St.
