See the Biggest California Wildfire This Year

1 minute read
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A firefighter monitors a wildfire as it spreads to the road near Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest in Calif. on June 18, 2015.Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
By Julia Zorthian

A wildfire that sparked Wednesday afternoon near Big Bear Lake, Calif. had grown to 11,000 acres as of Friday morning, according to a government website.

The fire is the worst of the year, the Los Angeles Times reported. Wind and the dry undergrowth due to drought conditions in the area have contributed to the blaze’s rapid spread through sections of the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire is currently 10% contained, with fire engines, helicopters, air tankers and more than 500 respondents combating the spreading flames.

Hundreds in the area have been evacuated, but government website InciWeb stated that no structures had been destroyed as of Friday. The fire is currently spreading further inland to the south and east.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A firefighter monitors a wildfire as it spreads to the road near Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest in Calif. on June 18, 2015. Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
The Lake Fire burns for a second day near Jenks Lake in Angeles Oaks, Calif. on June 18, 2015.Micah Escamilla—The Sun/AP
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A helicopter picks up water to drop on a wildfire at Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, Calif. on June 18, 2015. Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A firefighter monitors a wildfire as it spreads to the road near Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest in Calif. on June 18, 2015. Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A smoke plume from the Lake Fire is seen at sunset in the San Bernardino National Forest over the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs, Calif. on June 18, 2015. Sam Mircovich—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A windmill farm is seen in front of smoke from the Lake Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, seen at sunset from Palm Springs, Calif. on June 18, 2015. Sam Mircovich—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
Chon Bribiescas, 59, of the U.S. Forest Service views the edge of a wildfire in Heart Bar in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake, Calif. on June 18, 2015. Lucy Nicholson—Reuters
California Wildfire Lake Fire San Bernardino
A wildfire burns south of Barton Flats in the San Bernardino National Forest, Calif. on June 18, 2015. John Valenzuela—The Sun/AP

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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com