The fast-growing Line Fire burned across 55,000 acres in San Bernardino County on Sunday, forcing thousands of people from their homes as a result of an ongoing heat wave that has brought temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit for days in Southern California.
Hundreds of firefighters battled the flames as the wildfire nearly doubled in size overnight and remained at zero percent containment, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday night, making additional resources and funding available to help with the firefighting effort.
By Sunday morning, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department had issued evacuation orders for the entire communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake, areas with a combined population of more than 6,000 people. Thousands more in the mountain communities of Green Valley Lake, Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Valley of Enchantment were under evacuation warnings, with officials telling residents who need extra time to evacuate — including those with pets and livestock — to leave their homes immediately.
Combined with the sweltering heat currently plaguing the region, weather officials say smoke from the fire has created clouds resembling thunderstorms, leading to more than 1,100 reported lightning strikes in the area. The small, fire-spawned storm system has also increased winds in the immediate area, further spreading the flames and creating challenges for firefighters. Cal-Fire said “outflow winds from thunderstorms” have caused “very erratic behavior.”
“The heat takes a huge toll on them. You know, the work-rest cycles? They can work for a little while, but the body just needs a break after a while,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua said of the firefighters working in the extreme heat.
The wildfire first ignited along Base Line and Alpin streets in the town of Highland around 6 p.m. Thursday. It tore through hundreds of acres before quickly growing to more than 3,000 acres by Friday evening.
By Saturday, the fire had burned more than 7,000 acres, and San Bernardino County officials declared a state of emergency. The dire situation was compounded when thousands of people were ordered to evacuate, a small earthquake shook the areaaccording to the United States Geological Survey.
LR Johnson and Braga family
“We are just at the edge – we are just waiting”
On Friday, the sky over San Bernardino County lit up in a glowing orange hue as bright red flames tore through the brush. Some in Highland said they could see the fast-growing fire from their homes.
“The flames were coming right at us because the wind was shifting,” said Brian Gano, who was fighting the flames with his wife and son. “I have a high-pressure line in my backyard.”
People living in the area waited to hear if they had to evacuate. Resident Diya Hirpara ran errands while trying to prepare.
“It was pretty scary,” Hirpara said. “We’re just kind of on the edge, just waiting.”
Firefighters flew through thick, high plumes of smoke to spray fire retardant droplets as they tried to fight the blaze from the air and ground.
They managed to contain the flames within the San Bernardino National Forest, but winds began blowing the fire toward homes.
“We had to fight hard to protect those houses,” Pascua said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department sent a team of more than 20 firefighters and three fire trucks to assist firefighters in battling the blaze.
Domestic news
Evacuation orders and warnings
According to Cal Fire, there are currently 35,405 structures threatened, including single-family homes, multi-family homes, commercial buildings and other smaller structures.
In addition to the evacuations of the towns of Runnings Springs and Arrowbear Lake, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office has also issued evacuation orders for the area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North; all undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue; the areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18; the area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the Hills; and north of Highland Avenue and east of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.
Later Sunday, additional evacuation orders were issued for those living on Garnett Street east of 138 and Mill Creek north of the foothills, SBSD said. Around 6:45 p.m., deputies said people living in Forrest Falls and Mountain Home Village were also placed under mandatory evacuation orders.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the neighborhoods of Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the Hills; east of Church Street and north of Highland Avenue; east of Weaver and north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge; Green Valley Lake; Cedar Glen; Lake Arrowhead; Crestline, Valley of Enchantment, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Mountain Home Village.
Evacuation shelters have been set up in Victorville at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Building 6, 14800 7th Street; and in Highland at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28355 Base Line Street. However, those sheltering at Immanuel Baptist Church were expected to be relocated to the Jesse Turner Community Center, a newly established evacuation center.
An animal shelter has been established in San Bernardino at Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way. For questions, residents can call (909) 386-9820 or (800) 472-5609.
The American Red Cross is also helping the displaced by providing shelter, water and other supplies.
Concerns about air quality
On Friday, air quality officials issued a smoke advisory to warn people of harmful conditions as smoke from the Line Fire was carried by the wind into surrounding areas. The air quality is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “very unhealthy,” a category that indicates anyone — including people without any health conditions — could experience adverse effects.
According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, winds blew smoke from the wildfire westward toward the cities of Highland and San Bernardino. People in those areas are expected to feel the effects Friday and Saturday.
Here you will find a map of the current smoke and air quality conditions.
Roads and schools closed
Officials said Highway 18, Highway 38 and Highway 330 are closed multiple times. Highway 18 is also closed from Kuffle Canyon to Big Bear Dam. Highway 330 is closed in both directions from Garnet Street to State Route 38 in Mentone.
At 7 p.m., CHP officers closed the eastbound lanes of SR-38 at Bryant Street and implemented an additional closure at Angelus Oaks.
On Sunday afternoon, administrators with the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District announced that all of their campuses would be closed on Monday after consultation with city officials and Cal Fire. Additionally, Rim of the World Unified School District announced that they would have a “no-student day” on Monday due to the fire.
Redlands University has opted to move to distance learning at the beginning of the week due to air quality warnings currently impacting campus due to heavy smoke in the area.
In San Bernardino, two community colleges have announced no classes on Monday, including Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College.
