UPDATED: Center Fire simmers down in Big Pine; 395 reopens

Updated March 21, 8:15 a.m. The Center Fire is 100 percent contained after burning 850 acres and destroying 19 residences, according to Cal Fire’s website. One injury was reported. All evacuations have been lifted and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. As of yesterday, firefighters remained at the scene to mop up and patrol for hot spots. The American Red Cross is offering assistance to the victims whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the fire.

A fire, which started on the afternoon of March 18 continues to burn into the weekend, but diminished winds and a light rain on the morning of March 19 are helping firefighters get the blaze under control. As of 8 a.m. on March 19 Cal Fire was reporting that the blaze, dubbed the Center Fire, had burned approximately 1,200 acres and damaged or destroyed 19 residences with 100 residences still threatened.

On Friday evening, March 18, the fire closed the U.S. 395 in both directions, blocking skiers and snowboarders from reaching Mammoth Mountain. By Saturday morning the highway had been reopened.

Approximately 200 firefighters are working to put out the blaze, which is expected to be fully contained by Sunday, March 20. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Visit Cal Fire’s website for further information.