Crews make progress battling 3,000-acre brush fire near Big Pine

Crews battling a 3,000-acre brush fire along U.S. 395 near Big Pine in Inyo County were making headway Wednesday evening in their efforts to control the blaze.

Authorities were planning to lift an evacuation order for the southwest area of Big Pine as the fire was 65% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

U.S. 395 remained open, but Crocker Street/Glacier Lodge Road west of West Street and Pole Line and McMurry Meadows Road were closed Wednesday evening, officials said.

The blaze, called the John fire, broke out Tuesday afternoon and spread quickly as it was stoked by erratic winds. More than 440 firefighters were working to halt the spread of the flames.

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Image: Map shows the area where the Big Pine brush fire broke out.

Credit: Google Maps