by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com

The U.S. Forest Service is reporting the Vista Fire near Mt. Baldy is 47% contained after charring some 2,936 acres since July 7.

“We don’t have an active fire front,” said U.S. Forest Service Spokesperson Nathan Judy at 2:15 p.m. Monday. “The fire was wind tested over last two days with the thunder cells we’ve had, and our containment lines are holding. We haven’t had much fire activity at all.”

A U.S. Forest Service Type 1 Helicopter picking water to combat the Vista Fire on Tuesday, July 9. Photo/by Mervin Garcia, USFS

With more than 700 firefighting personnel on scene at its peak, their work has paid dividends, Judy said. “Up toward the top of the Mt. Baldy area, that’s all black, as is everything going around the heel of the fire, Stockton Flats, that’s all black lined,” he said, referring to trenches dug to bare mineral soil to cut lines between burned and unburned fuel.

“The fire has gotten into the Cucamonga Wilderness, which is very steep, with a 97% grade in certain areas, so we are now going to be inserting a crew into that area,” Judy said. The “Hot Shot” crew of 30, their hand tools, equipment, food, and water, will be dropped into the area via helicopter Monday evening, where they’ll spend the night, and “attack those areas and put those fires out,” Judy added.

The fire had threatened Mt. Baldy Resort, but Judy reported Saturday that risk was over. No structures have been damaged, and no injuries have been reported. Some 632 fire personnel were still working on the blaze on Monday.

Air tanker planes and Cal Fire helicopters have been grounded since Sunday, due in part to the prevalence of thunder cells and unstable atmosphere. It’s a good sign that the worst of blaze is likely behind firefighters. “We’ve not needed those air assets since Saturday. We haven’t had a need yesterday or today.” Judy said.

The recreation areas of Mt. Baldy and Lytle Creek remain closed, as does Lytle Creek Road.

Judy could not estimate when the fire will be completely out. “We’re hoping for us we might be here another week or so,” he said. “Then the [U.S.] Forest Service will have to do their cleanup work.”

The poor air quality in Claremont as a result of the Vista Fire has also abated in recent days. After an Air Quality Index of a “very unhealthy” 206 in Claremont on July 10, readings have vacillated between “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and “moderate” ever since, according to airnow.gov.

For the latest updates on the fire, go to the federal incident information management system website, inciweb.wildfire.gov, or the San Bernardino National Forest Facebook page at facebook.com/sanbernardinonf. For air quality information, go to airnow.gov.