Calm winds appeared to help crews gain the upper hand on a brush fire in San Bernardino County that burned amid triple-digit temperatures, coming dangerously close to homes and forcing evacuations.
Dubbed the Mills Fire, the blaze appeared to have erupted on a small mountain range. It began in Redlands near the border of Mentone and spread in Yucaipa, according to Bill Peters, spokesman for CAL Fire.
All evacuations had been lifted by 7:30 p.m. Neighborhoods north of Carter Street and west of Bryant Street were open to residents only, according to CAL Fire.
One residence was confirmed as partially damaged, according to CAL Fire. No injuries have been reported.
The Mills Fire was first reported about 2:30 p.m. near Mill Creek Road (Highway 38) and Bryant Street in Mentone, west of Yucaipa (map). The blaze burned at least 200 acres within 90 minutes, according to CAL Fire's online incident report. Highway 38 is expected to reopen Saturday morning.
At least 100 homes were evacuated, Peters said. Aerial footage showed flames breeching hillsides and coming within yards of homes.
The fire is 20 percent contained as of Saturday morning.
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Excessive heat warnings went into effect Friday for San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside and Ventura counties as the region's first heat wave of the summer pushed the mercury into dangerous territory.
It was 100 degrees in Mentone when the fire broke out, according to the National Weather Service. Winds in the area are calm.
More than 200 firefighters from multiple agencies battled the blaze from the air and on the ground, Peters said.
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