Lower overnight temperatures, increased humidity and an jump in the number of firefighters on the front line have kept the Holcomb Fire burning just north of Big Bear Lake at 1,200 acres and 10 percent containment, officials said Wednesday.
“Our total personnel jumped to 1,072,” said Kyle Smith, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service in San Bernardino. “The rise in the humidity, lower temperatures and increased personnel have all helped.”
About 500 firefighters were first assigned to the large blaze, which ignited Monday, according to officials.
Authorities have not announced any damage to structures, but a spot fire near Baldwin Lake Road Tuesday afternoon came dangerously close to homes, leading San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies to enforce a short-lived mandatory evacuation of First, Second and Third streets off Highway 18, officials said. The evacuation orders were lifted about two hours later.