A wind-whipped brush fire near Apple Valley had grown to 4,205 acres by about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday with no containment, authorities said.
The Ranch fire ignited south of Apple Valley around 2 p.m., according to the San Bernardino Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Within two hours, it had consumed more than 1,500 acres. Officials said low humidity and gusty winds contributed to the quick spread.
Evacuations were ordered for the area from Milpas Drive to High Road, south of Highway 18.
Wind speeds were at 22 mph around 2 p.m. and strengthened to 31 mph around 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
“Weather conditions are expected to remain challenging into the evening,” Cal Fire officials said in a statement. Ground and air resources were being used to suppress the fire, the statement said.
Officials urged residents to head to the evacuation site “safely and immediately” at Sitting Bull Academy, at 19445 Sitting Bull Road. An animal evacuation shelter was established at Victorville Fairgrounds, at 14800 7th St. in Victorville.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.
