Cal Fire investigators believe that they may have traced the cause of the El Dorado Fire, which has already consumed over 7,000 acres back to a smoke-generating device at a gender reveal party.
According to the story appearing on the Press-Enterprise website, the fire has already consumed 7,050 acres in the area above San Bernardino Canyon. Call Fire spokesperson Cathy Mattingly told the Press-Enterprise the wildfire had affected 3000 residents by Saturday evening. By Sunday morning, the fire had doubled in size. There are more than 500 firefighters and other personnel battling the fire, and so far, the blaze is only 5% contained.
Officials say that the fire began at 10:23 a.m. at El Dorado Ranch in Yucaipa during a gender reveal party where an operator or operators used a pyrotechnic device. In a statement, Cal Fire warned the public that during the extremely hot and dry conditions throughout California, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire and that, “Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.”
So far, no one has been injured in the El Dorado fire, although one outbuilding has been confirmed as having been destroyed.
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On Sunday, September 6th, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency for San Bernardino, San Diego, Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa Counties. The communities from Oak Glen Road to Wildwood Canyon in Oak Glen have been ordered to evacuate.
Holiday travelers are being asked to stay out of the fire area and out of the way of firefighters.
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