State of emergency declared as Line Fire grows to over 7,100 acres in San Bernardino County

A state of emergency was declared and evacuation orders are in place as the Line Fire continues to burn Saturday, threatening communities.

The fire first ignited on Thursday night near Baseline Street and Alpin Street in Highland. After a period of rapid growth, the blaze grew to 3,832 acres on Friday night. By Saturday around 4 p.m., the fire expanded to 7,122 acres with zero percent containment.

Evacuation orders were issued for:

• Communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake

• Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, which includes Greenspot Road north

• Highland areas from the 210 Freeway east to the foothills and from Greenspot Road north to the foothills

• Areas near Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18

• Areas east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills

• North and east of Highland Avenue and Palm Avenue

• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue

Evacuation warnings were issued for:

• Neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue

• Neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge

Evacuation shelters are available at Immanuel Baptist Church, located at 28355 Baseline Street in Highland and at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds (Building 6) at 14800 7th Street in Victorville. Animals being evacuated can be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino.

Fire officials said extreme weather including lightning strikes, strong winds, hot weather and hard-to-navigate terrain are making it challenging for fire crews to contain the blaze.

Pair of earthquakes rattle Inland Empire on Saturday morning

“The weather is not helping out in any way and [neither is] the steepness of the hills,” said Brent Pascua with CAL FIRE. “We have a tough firefight on our hands.”

Around 8,733 structures are threatened including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings and other structures.

“We can’t control the wind and we can’t control the weather so we have no idea where it’s going to go,” explained Kari Klaus with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. “The downdrafts and the way that the fire is, there’s no telling which direction it’ll go and when or if it’s going to affect a community.”

On Saturday night, Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that fire crews and resources from across the state were dispatched to battle the fire.

“California is deploying firefighting resources to the #LineFire in San Bernardino County,” Newsom posted on X. “CAL FIRE is working with the U.S. Forest Service & local fire departments to protect area communities. Heed local evacuation orders.”

“Fire crews continue to make progress during the nighttime hours due to higher humidity and nighttime water-dropping helicopters,” CAL FIRE said. “Firefighters on the ground will continue to be supported by fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.”

Authorities want all residents in the surrounding areas and mountain communities to avoid a last-minute scramble by preparing for possible evacuation. They should pack a bag containing all important documents, food, water and necessary medications.

“The smoke is even going into the Big Bear Lake area so we would advise Big Bear to start thinking about what they’re going to do, too,” Klaus advised. “With [an evacuation] warning, we want everyone to be familiar with, ‘How are you going to get your stuff and get ready to go?’ We’d like you to be prepared to leave in case you have to instead of starting to prepare at the time that you need to leave.”

Many Inland Empire communities are under an advisory due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke. The hazy air was seen drifting into parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties as well.

Those living in an area impacted by smoke should:

• Limit exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate
  shelter

• Avoid vigorous physical activity

• Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air

• Avoid burning wood in your fireplace or firepit and minimize sources of indoor air pollution such as candles, incense, pan-frying, and grilling

• If you must be outside, a properly fit N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection

The cause of the Line Fire remains under investigation.

Newsom and San Bernardino County officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday night, securing a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for help and resources to fight the blaze.

The vegetation fire is spreading as a heatwave scorches the Southland; highs in the Inland Empire are expected to remain in the triple digits through the beginning of the workweek. An excessive heat warning will be in effect until Monday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.

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