Lake Fire Update (Rain helps crews gain on Lake fire in San Bernardino National Forest)

According to news reports from the Los Angeles Times, rain on Sunday in the San Bernardino National Forest helped fire crews gain ground on the now 30,000 plus acre Lake Fire. The fire was 50% contained by Sunday, but officials said they expected that figure to rise throughout the day as fire crews continued to gain ground north and east of Onyx Peak. Nearly 2,300 firefighters have battled the blaze on the ground and from the air since it started June 17, at a cost thus far of $27 million. Four firefighters have been injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Hiking trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area remain closed, as does the Pacific Crest Trail from Whitewater Preserve to Onyx Summit. State Route 38 has been reopened to traffic, but local campgrounds remain closed and access from the route "will continue to be restricted to camp staff and recreation residence owners only," the forest service said on its website.