Bridge Fire prompts San Bernardino County leaders to declare emergency
As the fast-moving Bridge Fire began destroying homes and property in the Wrightwood area, San Bernardino County leaders proclaimed an emergency.
On Tuesday night, the San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer declared the emergency and will ask the Board of Supervisors to ratify the action at an emergency special meeting.
San Bernardino County leaders said they will dedicate all resources necessary to protect its communities and residents and assist in their recovery.
On Tuesday, the Bridge Fire, which started Sunday in the Angeles National Forest, quickly crossed from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County.
The wind-driven vegetation fire jumped from 4,000 to 34,240 acres by Tuesday night and immediately threatened Wrightwood, Pinon Hills, Mt. Baldy, San Antonio Heights, and the northern portion of the City of Upland.
Evacuation orders have been issued for:
Pinon Hills: From Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to the Los Angeles County line.
Lone Pine Canyon: From Wrightwood to Hwy. 138/Lone Pine Canyon Road south to the forest area
The entire community of Wrightwood
East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community
Mt. Baldy Road: Residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt. Baldy Resort
Wrightwood Bridge Fire Oriole rd https://t.co/mwBbzCBvVo
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) September 11, 2024
Homes lost
In a statement issued late Tuesday, a county representative said, "Tragically, homes have been lost," and that further details regarding the locations of the destroyed structures were not immediately available.
Personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and partner public safety agencies have been on the scene from the start employing all available resources to protect these communities and their residents.
County leadership and representatives from various county partner agencies are closely monitoring developments in the County Emergency Operations Center and developing response and relief strategies.
The county urges residents to stay connected and heed all evacuation warnings and orders.
If your neighborhood is under an evacuation warning, pack your valuables and other needed items and prepare to leave.
If your neighborhood is under an evacuation order, leave immediately.
Evacuation centers in the county are located at:
People only: Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, 15556 Summit Ave., Fontana
People, domestic pets and livestock: San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh St., Victorville
Line Fire financial assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday, Sept. 9, approved financial assistance to aid Southern California in battling the Line Fire in San Bernardino County.
The federal funding will help state officials fight "mitigate, manage and control active wildfires in California," according to a FEMA statement. Funding was also allocated to help with fires in Nevada and Oregon.
The decision came only hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the California National Guard was being called to assist with the massive Line Fire, which ignited Thursday, Sept. 5 near Baseline and Aplin streets in Highland.
The governor declared a state of emergency due to the fire on Sunday, Sept. 8.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Line Fire had reached 32,905 Acres, with 14% containment in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Line Fire arson suspect arrested
Authorities on Tuesday reported identifying and arresting 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg for allegedly starting the Line Fire in Highland.
Cal Fire investigators and San Bernardino County Sheriff's detectives partnered to identify Halstenberg as a suspect, sheriff's officials announced.
Halstenberg was located and arrested on Tuesday near Sixth Street and Sierra Avenue in Norco, sheriff's booking records show.
He was booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of arson. His bail is set at $80,000, sheriff's officials stated.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Bridge Fire in San Bernardino County prompts emergency declaration
