Big Bear, CA, August 10, 2016 – As of this morning, fire containment has jumped due to the significant work done by the firefighters both on the ground and in the air. The Pilot Fire is currently 7,861 acres, up 1500 acres since yesterday, but containment has gone from 6% to 64%. Overnight and this morning there was moderate activity with spot fires on the western flank successfully contained. The plan now is to hold the fire within current containment lines, continue to construct and improve the fire line, and fighting the fire to the degree possible to ensure the safety of the personnel and to prevent the escape of the fire.
Apple Valley Unified, Hesperia Unified, and Oro Grande Unified School Districts are all closed today due to unhealthy air quality. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the entire community of Deer Lodge Park. Also included is Aleutian Drive, Klondike Drive, Evergreen Lane, Yukon Drive, and Hwy 173 north and south from Hwy 138 to Arrowhead Lake Road. Voluntary evacuations have been added to include the community of Grass Valley Lake.
There are now 1,746 total personnel assigned to the fire.