Additional Evacuations Ordered For El Dorado Fire Burning In Yucaipa
YUCAIPA (CBSLA) — The Yucaipa Police Department Wednesday ordered additional evacuations as the El Dorado fire continued burning.
As of Wednesday evening, the fire had burned 12,474 acres and was 18% contained.
In a tweet, police said all residents living between Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit needed to evacuate immediately via Highway 38 north toward Big Bear.
According to the unified command center, crews worked throughout the night to extinguish flare ups and hot spots around structures and reinforce the perimeter of the fire. Despite overnight winds, crews were able to hold the perimeter of the blaze, though damage assessments were still being conducted.
However, when the wind picked up Wednesday afternoon, the fire quickly jumped Highway 38. Firefighters are working to keep the blaze from spreading farther north and threatening more homes.
Shortly after the mandatory evacuations, several homes on Canyon Drive in Forest Falls were almost devoured by the fire. With seconds to spare, the fire department managed to keep it at bay. 
"We made a stand here for these three homes, which would've probably lit off the whole neighborhood," said Cal Fire Capt. Scott Gillespi.
The victory boosted morale for firefighters, who know that the damage from the El Dorado fire is far from over.
"We're all one big mountain community," said Valerie Medrano, who has been evacuated from Mountain Home Village for four days. She said she's still wracked with anxiety about the fact that her home could be threatened.
A temporary Red Cross shelter has been opened at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave., in Redlands.
