Crews on the Hesperia brush fire in San Bernardino County near Highway 173 were making progress on Sunday, June 16, preventing the spread of the flames that were threatening a housing development where many owners keep horses.
The fire on Sunday evening had burned 1,078 acres and was 20% contained.
Related: Here’s where the Hesperia Fire is burning
“It looks like it is dying down,” said Chloe Castillo, a spokeswoman for the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit. “They have six hand crews on scene that are making really good progress.”
Those crews prevented the flames from passing over a bluff and heading toward Arrowhead Equestrian Estates, Castillo said. That development was under an evacuation warning, which means residents should be prepared to leave if given an order.
The development was in the opposite direction of the fire’s path Sunday morning, but officials worried that could change if the wind shifted.
If the flames head back north, they will move into thick, dense brush. Sunday morning, flames were in light grasses.
See also: Weather conditions on lines at Gorman and Hesperia fires ripe for erratic blazes
The blaze, called the Hesperia fire, was reported just after 6 p.m. Saturday in the 18000 block of Highway 173.
It was initially reported at 7 acres and potentially threatening at least one structure.
Within two hours, the fire, driven by strong winds, grew to an estimated 300 acres, Cal Fire reported. By about 8:40 p.m. it was measured at 500 acres with containment of 5 percent. By 10:16 p.m. it was burning in strong winds and was measured at 700 acres. A Cal Fire map showed the fire was located between Hesperia and the Silverwood Lake area.
The warning for Arrowhead Equestrian Estates was issued around 8:20 p.m. on Saturday and remained in effect on Sunday.
Caltrans reported Highway 173 was closed between Highway 138 and Lake Arrowhead Road.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
