Thousands are still evacuated in the Wrightwood, California area as firefighters continue to battle the 7,500-acre Sheep fire. On Sunday firefighters conducted a backfire operation near the mountain community of Wrightwood taking advantage of winds that diminished late in the day. Between 4,000 and 6,000 residents were asked to evacuate from the fire which is now 20% contained. Three homes in remote areas have burned, but Wrightwood, with about 2,000 homes, has so far been spared. Firefighters are “cautiously optimistic” about keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood.
The winds on Monday are expected to be much calmer than the previous two days, which should give firefighters a chance to make some good progress on Monday and Tuesday. The forecast for Wrightwood at an elevation of 6,200 feet after 10 a.m. on Monday calls for southeast winds at 2-6, few clouds, and a relative humidity of 31%. Conditions on Tuesday will be similar, except for a northeast wind direction and an RH of 18%. But no santa ana winds are in the forecast. The temperature should top out at 52 degrees in Wrightwood on Monday.
The Sheep fire map above shows no red areas, meaning very little heat was detected Sunday night.
