Morongo Indian Reservation, CA Sunday June 9, 2013 4:45 pm – The Hathaway Fire, which was reported minutes before noon today, has now burnt approximately 1300 acres and is still growing. The fire apparently started on the Morongo Indian Reservation and quickly spread, due to high winds, into the San Gorgonio Wilderness area. The fire is currently moving north to an area known as Raywood Flats. According to the Forest Service they have no containment figures at this time. The fire is burning through an area of mixed Chaparral and Timber in the southernmost area of the San Gorgonio wilderness area. Hand crews and air support are being used because of the remote nature and roadless landscape which is best described as steep and rocky. 250 firefighters are on hand with more personnel expected to arrive overnight. Helicopters and fixed wing air support continue to work the fire. According to Bob Poole of the US Forest Service, there is no threat to Big Bear. He went on to say that the Hathaway Fire is currently burning approximately 25 miles south of the Big Bear Valley and, as such, the threat of flying embers igniting a fire near Big Bear is very remote. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
