Evacuations and road closures, Silverwood Lake State Recreation closed, Weather outlook, Air quality affected

A brush fire ignited near Silverwood Lake on Saturday afternoon, threatening structures and prompting evacuations as it quickly expanded beyond 478 acres in size, authorities said.

The blaze, dubbed the Lake Fire, was first reported about 3:50 p.m. along the north short of the lake, according to San Bernardino County Fire Department and Cal Fire logs.

The flames quickly spread at a "dangerous rate" to more than 478 acres in size by 7:45 p.m., as the fire made a push to the north, Cal Fire officials said. It had the potential of growing to 1,000 acres.

It was burning through heavy brush and flames were seen "leaping "spotting" ahead of the main body of fire, fanned by high winds, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters were taking positions to defend the threatened structures as the battle continued from both the ground and air.

Authorities work at the scene of the Lake Fire, at Summit Valley Road and Highway 138 near Silverwood Lake, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Evacuations and road closures

Evacuations were ordered for residents south of Highway 138, between Highway 173 and the 15 Freeway, as the intense flames approached, Cal Fire officials said.

The neighborhoods north of the 138 Freeway were under evacuation warning.

The fire was burning along both sides of Highway 138, near Highway 173, authorities reported.

Officials shut down Highway 138 between Old Mill Road and the 15 Freeway.

"Due to increased fire behavior and visibility concerns, portions of I-15 remain impacted," according to the statement. "Crews will continue working overnight to build containment lines and address hotspots along the active flanks of the fire."

Silverwood Lake State Recreation closed

The Silverwood State Recreation Area will be closed through at least Sunday, officials announced.

Escorts were planned for park visitors and campers to renter the park to retrieve belongings after 9 a.m. Sunday.

"All camping reservations due in will be canceled at this time," the statement said. "We will provide further updates as we acquire them."

Weather outlook

Unfavorable weather was helping to fuel the blaze,the statement said. "Fire personnel remain vigilant in monitoring the weather to adapt operational strategies accordingly.

Gusty winds between 15 and 25 mph were expected to weaken after 10 p.m., according to Cal Fire..

"Relative humidity will rise from around 20% to near 45% overnight, helping moderate fire behavior," the statement added. "However, conditions will dry out again on Sunday with humidity dropping back to 20% and winds gusting up to 25 mph in the afternoon."

By Monday, winds gusts greater than 30 mph were in the forecast, representing a significant challenge for firefighting.

The Lake Fire ignited near Silverwood Lake, just outside of Hesperia, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Cal Fire was working in unified command with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

No containment lines were reported.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Air quality affected

The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District issued an advisory Saturday evening for potentially poor air quality due to the smoke pouring out of the Lake Fire.

It was to remain in effect through Sunday, although extensions are possible, if needed, according to the agency.

"Wildfire smoke can degrade air quality to the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level and higher," according to the advisory. "People with heart and respiratory illnesses, children, seniors and active adults are included in the sensitive groups category."

(This story is developing and will be updated as additional information becomes available.)