McCall Fire shuts down Highway 74
According to San Bernardino National Forest Public Affairs Officer Zach Behrens, the McCall Fire broke out Saturday at 4:23 p.m. The fire started 1 mile west of McCall Park Road and Highway 74.
PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER
Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire and Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded quickly to extinguish the blaze. By the time crews arrived on scene, the fire was on both sides of the highway.
PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER
Crews battled the fire on the ground and by air, quickly containing the brush fire before destroying any buildings.
“The firefighters did a great job stopping the fire and not letting it get larger,” Behrens said Saturday. “They’ve been stretched thin working the Snow Fire, the El Dorado Fire and a fire in Redlands earlier today.”
As of 6:45 p.m. Saturday, the fire was one-and-a-half acres and 50% contained. The forward rate of spread of the fire had stopped and crews were on scene until the fire was completely extinguished later that evening. Highway 74, which was closed when the fire broke out, reopened by 8 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Caltrans assisted with traffic control.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
