Wildfire in California, August 28 to 31, 1999

An arsonist started a fire that was fanned by erratic winds and extremely dry conditions into the largest wild fire in San Bernardino County during the past 80 years. The fire began north of Lake Arrowhead on 8/28. It then burned north for 11.5 miles down the mountains and across the valley towards unincorporated south Apple Valley. On 8/30 the fire spread west towards Hesperia. Then as winds reversed, it burned east 13.5 miles towards Lucerne Valley. On 8/31 the fire moved further east and then south back up the mountains towards the resort communities on the north side of Big Bear Lake. As August ended, the fire had consumed over 52,000 acres and was only 20 percent contained. The cost of fighting the fire to date was estimated at over $1.9 million. Property damage included twenty structures and 52 vehicles destroyed in the Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley areas. However the 1820 firefighters working the fire managed to save another 1950 structures. Smoke from the fire was carried 180 miles downstream and created a brown haze over the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.