INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – The largest of two weekend wildfires in the San Bernardino National Forest is nearing full control.

The Flats Fire covered 341 acres before it was stopped about 6-hours after it started in a field on Pinyon Flats in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

It forced the closure of Highway 74 and the evacuation of Pinyon Crest.

Two homes were destroyed, three others plus three outbuildings were damaged. There was one firefighter injury.

In the San Bernardino Mountains, the cause of a potentially dangerous wildfire is being investigated after it burned late Saturday in Upper Waterman Canyon above San Bernardino. An air and ground assault held the flames to 20-acres. Highway 18 was reopened several hours after the fire was reported.

Story Date: June 19, 2021