Ranch Fire scorches more than 4,200 acres near Apple Valley, evacuations ordered

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A brush fire ignited near Apple Valley and quickly grew to more than 4,200 acres in size on Tuesday afternoon as it forced evacuation orders, law enforcement officials said.
The blaze, dubbed the Ranch Fire, was first reported about 1:35 p.m. in the area of Bowden Ranch Road and Coxey Truck Trail, just south of Apple Valley, according to Apple Valley Fire Department logs.
It scorched between 80 and 100 acres within an hour, burning at a "rapid" pace as it was driven by the wind, according to Cal Fire. By 3 p.m., it was mapped at 369 acres, and by 9:30 p.m. it had grown beyond 4,205 acres. No containment lines had been established Tuesday night.
Cal Fire announced at 3:25 p.m. that the flames were presenting an "immediate structure threat." A reverse-911 system was being used to notify residents in the potential path of the wildfire.
"Fire behavior has intensified due to shifting weather conditions, including increasing winds and low humidity, contributing to rapid fire spread," according to a Cal Fire incident report.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department issued an evacuation order for the area between Milpas Drive and High Road, south of Highway 18, affecting both Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley.
"Please evacuate safely and immediately," the agency urged via social media.
Authorities described multiple structures as being severely threatened by the blaze, but did not confirm any damage as the firefight continued into the evening.
News footage posted to social media showed what was described as a home along Milpas Drive completely engulfed in flames.
"A Damage Inspection (DINS) Team has been ordered through the Unified Command to evaluate the damage caused by the fire to structures," according to a Cal Fire statement.
An evacuation center for displaced residents was established at Sitting Bull Academy, 19445 Sitting Bull Road in Apple Valley, sheriff's officials said.
An evacuation center for large animals was in the process of being set up at the Victorville Fairgrounds, 14800 7th Street in Victorville, according to Cal Fire.
Standing near horse trailers, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff Phelan Posse 303 were positioned along Bear Valley Road ready to help evacuees.Posse members told the Daily Press they were waiting for sheriff's dispatch to inform them about residents who needed help evacuating large animals.
Moments later, the group headed toward the fire and a marked sheriff's vehicle with two posse members parked at the same location and stood by to pick up smaller animals.As the sun set, flames became visible from miles away, as several horse trailers with animals headed out of the evacuation area.
At a gas station at the corner of Bear Valley and Central roads, Frank and Madeline Franklyn parked their truck and horse trailer as the couple grabbed fuel, drinks, snacks and ice.
"We're taking our horses to a friend's house in Apple Valley," said Madeline, as a near full moon began rising over the mountains near the fire. "We don't think the fire will move close to our house, but the smoke is not a good thing for them or us."
In the darkness, several lines of fire could be seen, including what appeared to be spot fires further east toward Lucerne Valley.
Firefighters from the Apple Valley Fire Department, San Bernardino County Fire Department, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Cal Fire were working together under what officials label "unified command."
Tuesday's hot weather was expected to continue into Wednesday, with a high temperature of 96 degrees predicted in Apple Valley by the National Weather Service.
More: Extreme heat warning issued as above-average temperatures scorch High Desert
(This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.)
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Brush fire burns more than 4,200 acres near Apple Valley, evacuations ordered