A wildfire erupted in San Bernardino County early Wednesday afternoon, prompting evacuations from the area and freeway closures as firefighters battled the flames during a late summer scorcher.
Residents scrambled from their homes with essential belongings as flames ripped through yards as the South Fire grew to about 250 acres Wednesday afternoon, according to CAL FIRE.
Christina Hernandez was lucky to get out alive.
She managed to get her dogs out, but had to get out quick and didn’t get to check on her llamas and sheep.
“This fire came through so, so quickly that there was no time to get anything,” she said. “So all of us got out with just whatever we’re wearing and that’s it.”
She’s lived at the property since 1987 and has been through fires and evacuations before.”But miracles do happen and we’ve always been spared.”
Injuries and total damages were not immediately available, but video from the scene showed at least one structure and and a vehicle burned late Wednesday afternoon.
A brush fire got out of control. As seen on the NBC4 News on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.
The fire was burning east of Sierra and near Lytle Creek Road. An evacuation order was issued for the area west of Sierra and south of the Lytle Creek ranger station.
An evacuation center was set up at the Jesse Turner Center. One for large animals was set up at the Devore Animal Shelter.
The northbound and southbound on-and off-ramps to Sierra were closed due to the fire.
Christina Hernandez waits to find out whether her home was burned, as reported on the NBC4 News on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.