YPG Fire Department continues to monitor brush fire near Mittry Lake

UPDATE:

The Bermuda Fire, which began approximately 3 a.m. on February 16 , continues to burn 15 miles northeast of Yuma.

The size of the fire is approximately 1300 acres and is about 40% contained.

Fire safety officials are asking the public to maintain a safe distance from the fire for personal safety and to allow fire operations to continue.

Officials say most of the fire has burned through inaccessible marshy areas, igniting cattails and salt cedar. Salt cedar burns very hot and can remain hot long after the fire appears to be out.

Due to the sandy soils in the river corridor, there can be additional fuels burning underneath the surface of the soil and the fuels covered by sand can create very hot cavities that can collapse.

Officials say falling into one of these hidden cavities can lead to serious burn injuries.

To avoid injury, officials are reminding everyone to stay clear of the area where the fire burned.

Mittry Lake Road is currently open beyond Betty’s Kitchen to Laguna Dam Road.

Smoke impacts are expected in the area for the next several days.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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According to a spokesperson for YPG, “Though the Bermuda Fire never jumped across the canal that separates it from YPG’s boundary, billowing smoke and embers from the blaze led the YPG Fire Department to stage near the YPG Travel Camp and stand ready for action until the early hours of this morning.”

According to YPG, though the fire and wind have both diminished, the YPG Fire Department continues to monitor the situation.

The Bureau of Land Management has devoted significant resources to fighting the fire but has not the requested assistance from the YPG Fire Department.

ORIGINAL STORY: According to YPG “The YPG Fire Department reports the fire is currently three to five miles to the south of the canal.”

Smoke from the fire has significantly reduced visibility on Imperial Dam Road– exercise extreme caution and avoid the road if possible.

The YPG Fire Department reports that the fire’s position has not changed in the past hour and that there is still no current threat to YPG residents.

The YPG Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation throughout the night.

Early Saturday, the Yuma Proving Ground Fire Department responded to and extinguished a brush fire near Martinez Lake.

According to YPG, “a second brush fire on Bureau of Land Management-controlled land across the California state line near Mittry Lake is still burning.”

The YPG Fire Department also reports there is no fire danger to the proving ground at this time.

YPG says the wind has changed directions and is now blowing smoke away from the housing developments.

The YPG fire department says the fire is 7 to 8 miles away from their boundaries, however, has grown.

We will update you with more information as it becomes available.