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(Best Syndication News) Fire crews are digging in to protect the mountain community of Wrightwood late Sunday night as the flames of the Sheep Fire bear down on them. Cal Fire spokespeople say that they have prepared a direct fireline and strike teams are in place to protect structures and property.

It was announced late Sunday afternoon that every school in the Snowline Joint Unified School District has canceled classes for Monday. Typically when one school is closed, the district closes all schools for the day. In an automated message Kathy Sharkey told parents that all schools in the Snowline School District will be closed on Monday, October 5, 2009 due to the wildfires in Wrightwood.

Although the Sheep fire started near Sheep Canyon Road near Lytle Creek at about 2:11 pm on Saturday, it has jumped ridges and roared up canyons and is now threatening Wrightwood. So far it has not crossed Highway 2 or 138 and remains to the southeast of the mountain resorts.

Cal Fire reports that the fire is just ¼ mile from HWY 2. “Firefighters are cautiously optimistic at this time about keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood”, their website states.

Saturday’s mandatory evacuations in Lytle Creek: Applewhite Campground, Applewhite Picnic Area, and areas east of Lytle Creek Road up to and including Mountain Lakes RV Park, Lone Pine Canyon and the West Cajon Valley between the I15 and Hess remain in effect. The mandatory evacuation for Wrightwood on Sunday is also still in force.

Some fire personnel in Phelan have returned to their stations for likely shift changes. Cal Fire reports that there are 936 firefighters still at the scene Sunday night. So far the Sheep Fire has consumed 7,500 acres and is only 20 per cent contained.

By Dan Wilson

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