LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – A Reno Fire Map 2011 of the Caughlin Fire shows the massive path of destruction today. Officials indicate to news that the Caughlin Fire has already destroyed twenty homes today November 18, 2011. The Caughlin wildfire had prompted voluntary evacuations for nine thousand residents, officials indicate to news.

At least four hundred fifty acres were burned early Friday. Zero containment was confirmed as wind gusts increased. Firefighters tell news that terrain and gusts upwards of sixty mph are causing a difficult battle. Air tankers have been deployed.

The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed to news. It broke out shortly after 12:30 am local time today in the Caughlin Ranch area. By midday, as many as eight additional homes were directly threatened.

One person has died as well from cardiac arrest. A dedicate phone number has been created as well at 775-337-5800. FEFA has declared the fire a major disaster. In a news statement, Senator Dean Heller said “I’m grateful that FEMA was able to react so quickly to the Governor’s request. FEMA’s assistance is a welcome contribution to the on-going efforts for containing this tragic fire. I and my staff will continue to monitor the situation and assist in any we can to help direct federal resources to the region”.

Upwards of ninety schools were closed today; Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has declared a state of emergency.

The evacuation area is now from McCarran north to Caughlin Parkway, and south to Caughlin Ranch Elementary School and Alum Creek area. On the south the boundary is Zolezzi Lane to Arrowcreek Parkway.

File Photo Above

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Windy Point Fire (fire map below) near Palm Springs reached ten percent containment today. The Windy Point Fire has grown to three hundred fifty acres Sunday. Officials tell news the still do not know how the Windy Point Fire began.

Overnight, Highway 111 was closed between Tranway Road and Interstate 10. The Windy Point Fire blaze is being battled by the Palm Springs Fire Department, CalFire and the U.S. Forest Service. Local residents spotted fire or smoke in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Mount San Jacinto, and Date Palm last night.

Windy Point Fire Pictures / Map Set 1
Windy Point Fire Photo 1
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Windy Point Fire Photo 4

“With this wind– the 25, 30 mile per hour wind that we’re having this evening– it crested over the bottom half (of the canyon) and now it’s crested over to the right (side of the canyon),” said Forest Service Spokeswoman Kristen Allison in a news statement last night. Andrea Lannen, a USFS spokesperson, says that no structures are endangered currently.

Windy Point Fire Pictures / Map Set 2
Windy Point Fire Photo 5
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The fire’s origin was Highway 111 near Overture Drive. It broke out at 6:50 p.m. last night, Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Kristen Allison said in a news briefing this morning.

Local news confirms that 35 mph winds are making it difficult to battle the blaze. Highway 111 is still closed today between Tram Road and Overture. Last night 120 fire personnel were on scene; today that number has increased to 150.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Mandeville Fire 2011 has reached fifty percent containment, officials tell news. The Mandeville Canyon Road Fire in Brentwood (Los Angeles), California broke out Monday afternoon. The fire’s cause is still under investigation. But at roughly 4:25 pm PST, officials responded to a blaze spreading in dense brush.

The Mandeville Fire in Brentwood never reached any structures. The fire burned ten acres and reached fifty percent containment by Tuesday morning. Darkened skies still rest overhead in the surrounding area.

Local photographers show a CL-415 Super Scooper responding to the blaze last night. It took nearly 2 1/2 hours to put out the blaze with the use of the Scooper. As many as one thousand six hundred gallons of water were dropped quickly last night. MLS listings show at least one house in the immediate vicinity sold in June of this year with a .5 acre lot.

Reports put the blaze near 3682 Mandeville Cyn Rd. A local photographer was able to get imagery of the fire as far as Encino yesterday afternoon. (File photo above.)

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Cajon Fire 2011 (Fire Map below) aka The Hill Fire has improved allowing the I-15 reopening today. The I-15 is open, in both directions, as a Cajon Pass Fire yesterday shut down all of the freeway, then later sections of the freeway, just in advance of the Labor Day Holiday rush from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Fire officials tell news moments ago that containment has improved, evacuations haven’t changed, winds are still variable, and freeway conditions are back to normal, at least for now.

First, containment of the fire has risen from twenty to thirty percent at 9 am PST today. Second, evacuations are still virtually unchanged. Oak Hills residents are still under a tense situation. Over 1500 homes from that neighborhood are still under mandatory evacuation. San Bernardino National Forest Service and local fire officials confirm evacuations are still in place south of Joshua Street, east of Baldy Mesa Avenue and west of the 15 Freeway.

Winds have been problematic however. During the night, winds picked up to 20 mph. With blazing hot temperatures reaching 95 degree, fire officials are still concerned.

And while I-15 is currently open in all directions today, Caltrans advises residents that the condition is ever changing. Possible closures are likely due to smoke changes.

Two fire firefighters have been injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The effort to battle the blaze has risen to at least 50 fire engines, four bulldozers, four helicopters and 14 air tankers. State fire spokesman Glenn Barley says upwards of 750 firefighters and 12 aircraft are on scene. For continuing coverage, click HERE.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – A Cajon Pass fire has prompted the I-15 closure tonight. The Cajon Fire, aka “The Hill Fire” (map above), erupted early today. But now it’s ruining some Labor Day travelers en route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. I-15 remains closed in part as of 5 pm PST tonight as the Cajon Fire blazes uncontrollably. One firefighter has been injured, over fifteen hundred homes have been evacuated.

Fire officials tell news that the I-15 is closed between Route 395 and Route 138. Thirty minutes ago, news reports claimed that drivers were heading off freeway ramps the wrong way to flee the fire.

Local fire official tell drivers to avoid the area and instead use the 14 to the 18, or the 14 to 48 Freeway. Victorville Fairgrounds has set up an emergency evacuation center. The Red Cross is set up at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh St. at Victorville, 92395. Animal evacuations are being assisted by the San Bernardino County Animal Control at (800) 472-5609.

The fire has grown to eight hundred acres in the last hour. Evacuations are underway at the Oak Hills community. Official tell news that mandatory evacuations are in pass for “the area east of Caliente Road, south of Mesquite Street, west of Baldy Mesa Road and north of Interstate 15″ and for “Jenny Street between Columbine Road and Braceo Street in Hesperia.”

5 PM PST UPDATE: Caltrans is now reporting that northbound I-15 is closed at Highway 138 and southbound I-15 is closed at Highway 395. For continuing coverage, click HERE.

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