The "Little Mountain" fire, which threatened houses and shut down the 215 Freeway in San Bernardino earlier this month was caused by homeless people cooking at an illegal encampment, according to the city's manager.
City Manager Andrea M. Miller said one victim, a man, suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 17% of the upper half of his body. The other victim, a woman, suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 25% of her body.
She did not identify them by name, but said they are in a burn ward “and are expected to be there for some time."
Miller added that the city had “proactively” checked the are where the camp was between April and November because it's known to be full of homeless camps.
She said the city "cleaned up 60 encampments in the vicinity of the fire,” with the most recent cleanup happening on November 29th.
The "Little Mountain" fire burned 260 acres but only caused minor damage to a few garages. Firefighters were able to put it out by the next evening.