Firefighters Battle Wind-Driven Fire In Etiwanda Park

A wind-driven brush fire burning near Rancho Cucamonga brought officials to put mandatory evacuations from the area into effect.

The wildfire was reported just after 8:00 a.m. north of the 210 freeway in Etiwanda Canyon, a part of the San Bernadino National Forest just north of Rancho Cucamonga. The fire has burned more than 1000 acres.

A total of 550 personnel are reported to be on the scene. The fire is quickly expanding due to the Santa Ana wind conditions in the area. Officials say winds upwards of 60 mph, with gusts up to 80 to 90 mph in some mountains and valleys are making the fire difficult to tackle by air.

Mandatory residential evacuations are in place for the area north of Wilson Avenue between Day Creek and Ediwanda Avenue. An evacuation shelter has been set up for the evacuees at Rancho Cucamonga Central Park. At least 1,650 homes have been impacted by the evacuations, Rancho Cucamonga fire officials said.

The following road closures are also in effect: Ediwanda Avenue between Banyan and north city limits, Day Creek Boulevard between Banyan and north city limits, Milliken Avenue between Wilson and north city limits, Hillside Avenue between Haven and west city limits, and Banyan between Milliken and Day Creek.

The cause of the fire and amount of containment are unknown at this time, officials said. Updates will follow as we receive them.