El Dorado Fire Caused by Gender Reveal Party Reaches Over 18,000 Acres

Crews continued to battle the El Dorado fire in California’s San Bernardino National Forest on September 16, officials said.

This clip from Caltrans District 8 shows the fire burning close to Highway 38 near Angelus Oaks.

As of September 17, the fire was 63 percent contained and had burned over 18,000 acres.

Cal Fire’s September 16 update said, “The fire slowly backed down at low intensity into a retardant line placed along Hwy 38 in the vicinity of Angelus Oaks. Ground crews were able to directly attack the fire utilizing hose lines to protect the community.”

The fire started on the morning of September 5 at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. It was caused by a “smoke-generating pyrotechnic device” used in a gender-reveal party, Cal Fire said. Credit: Caltrans District 8 via Storyful