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Crews battle 400-acre wildfire in Southern California after multiple days of warm weather

California Wildfire
AP
FILE - San Bernardino Unit Public Information Office shows smoke and fire from a wildfire near in Owens Valley, Calif. on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Public Information Office via AP)
California Wildfire
Posted at 4:48 PM, Mar 02, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-02 19:56:01-05

California fire crews were battling a wildfire that broke out and was still blazing on Wednesday. The fire started burning across some 60 acres of land in Southern California, but quickly grew to an area of at least 400 acres, authorities said.

The large fire was burning in the Cleveland National Forest in the Holy Jim trail area, which is a 10.8 mile back trail near Corona, California that is heavily trafficked by hikers and mountain bikers.

Staff with the Cleveland National Forrest shared photos of the blaze on Twitter and reported that the fire was moving at a "moderate rate of speed." Firefighters had not been able to contain it by late afternoon on Wednesday. Authorities are calling this wildfire the Jim Fire, and said it started just before noon on Wednesday.

According to City News Service in Southern California, eight engine crews and two hand crews were deployed to battle the blaze, with firefighters having to enter thick brush and vegetation to try and get control of it. Two air tankers and two water-dropping helicopters were also called in to assist.

Thick plumes of smoke in the air could be seen from most of Orange and Riverside county, between San Diego and Los Angeles.

It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the blaze, and officials in the Cleveland National Forrest had been planning to conduct a prescribed burn in a different location before this wildfire began.

In late February crews battled a wildfire that broke out near Owens Valley, Calif. That fire continued to actively burn in the remote Owens Valley in eastern California while firefighters worked to try and stop it from harming small communities there.

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WILDFIRE RESOURCES

ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.

Emergency Supply Kit Checklist:

  • Face masks or coverings
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
  • Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions or special medications
  • Change of clothing
  • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Don’t forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

  • Easily carried valuables
  • Family photos and other irreplaceable items
  • Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
  • Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.