Road closures and park shutdown enforced
The Lake Fire was declared fully contained as of Sunday, July 6. However, the full extent of the damage is still under evaluation. Park officials and CAL FIRE crews continue to assess conditions on the ground to determine when it will be safe to reopen the recreation area.
The Lake Fire, which ignited near Silverwood Lake on Saturday, June 28 at approximately 3:58 p.m. forced the closure of Silverwood Lake during the busy Fourth of July weekend, disrupting the holiday plans of thousands of campers, boaters, and families who had flocked to the area for recreation.
The fire began near the intersection of State Highway 173 and Cedar Springs Dam Trail and spread rapidly, fueled by dry brush and gusty winds.
As of July 7, Silverwood Lake SRA remains closed to all visitors and campers. The closure of State Route 138—which provides the only access to the park—has made it impossible to reopen the area. All camping reservations during this closure period are being automatically canceled, with full refunds issued through ReserveCalifornia.
Park officials report that public access will not resume until safety can be ensured. The closure is due to multiple hazards, including damaged infrastructure, burned trails, and unstable hillsides, all of which pose risks to visitors.
The response to the Lake Fire involved a multi-agency effort, including CAL FIRE, the San Bernardino County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and various regional partners. Firefighting operations included over 50 engines, three helicopters, multiple air tankers, ground crews, and bulldozers and tactics such as aerial water drops, aggressive line-building, and backburn operations. These coordinated actions helped firefighters overcome challenging conditions in steep, rugged terrain.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by CAL FIRE.
CAL FIRE also issued fire prevention guidance to nearby residents, encouraging defensible space preparation by:
Cleaning roofs and gutters of flammable debris
Assembling emergency supply kits