Line Fire Rapidly Expands, Becomes Fifth-largest Active Wildfire in California; State of Emergency Declared in San Bernardino County

Raging wildfire consumes forest.

Line Fire Continues to Worsen in San Bernardino County

Highland, CA – The Line Fire in San Bernardino County is rapidly spreading and causing major concern among local residents and officials. As of Sunday evening, the fire has expanded to 20,553 acres, striking it as the fifth-largest active wildfire in California. The fire, which began on Thursday, September 5, around 6:30 p.m., near Baseline Street and Alpin Street, quickly escalated, growing to 3,832 acres by Friday night. By Saturday afternoon, the area affected nearly doubled to 7,122 acres and then surged through the weekend.

State of Emergency Declared

On Saturday night, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to aid local fire crews in battling the blaze. In a social media post, he announced that resources from all over the state will be deployed to assist in fighting the fire and protecting surrounding communities. CAL FIRE, along with the U.S. Forest Service, is currently working on preventing further damage to homes and businesses.

Challenges in Containing the Fire

Fire officials report several challenges in containing the fire due to extreme weather conditions, including intermittent thunderstorms, strong winds, and temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. Low humidity levels, also dipping into the mid-teens, complicate fire containment efforts.

Thunderstorm outflow winds have caused erratic fire behavior, making it difficult for fire crews to manage the situation. CAL FIRE noted, “The fire started under smoky skies on Sunday, which helps moderate fire behavior, but as smoke clears through the afternoon, fire activity will once again pick up.”

Threat to Structures and Injuries

According to fire officials, the fire currently threatens 36,328 structures, including homes and commercial buildings. Three firefighters have sustained injuries while combating the flames. The situation remains serious, as the fire continues to grow with potential new ignitions anticipated due to hot and dry weather.

Evacuation Orders and Shelters

Evacuation orders have been issued for various areas, with evacuation warnings placed in others. Residents are advised that if they leave their homes in Running Springs, they will not be allowed to return until further notice.

Evacuation shelters have been established in several locations to accommodate those displaced by the fire. An animal evacuation shelter has also been set up at the Devore Animal Shelter, located at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino.

Impact on Schools

Due to the ongoing situation, several school districts have announced closures. The Bear Valley Unified School District stated that all schools will be closed on Monday, citing the need for caution amidst road closures and poor air quality. Similarly, the Redlands Unified School District has canceled classes for the day.

However, the San Bernardino County Unified School District has confirmed that all schools, except for Bonnie Oehl Elementary which is located in the evacuation zone, will remain open for classes on Monday. Further updates regarding schedules will be communicated as the situation develops.

Investigation Ongoing

The cause of the Line Fire is still under investigation as fire crews continue their hard work battling the flames amidst challenging conditions. Local authorities urge residents to stay informed, follow evacuation protocols, and observe safety measures as the situation unfolds.