Mandatory evacuations ordered as Line Fire in San Bernardino Co. surpasses 7,100 acres

The Line Fire in San Bernardino County exploded beyond 7,100 acres in size on Saturday, prompting mandatory evacuations in Highland, Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake and San Bernardino.

CAL FIRE and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said evacuation orders were issued for some neighborhoods Saturday morning while others remained under evacuation warnings.

No structure damage or injuries had been reported as more than 500 firefighters battled the flames. officials said. No containment had been established.

The blaze ignited Thursday evening in the area of Baseline and Alpin streets. It expanded to 1,200 acres by Friday night, and on Saturday afternoon, it was measured at 7,122 acres.

Pyrocumulus cloud: Line Fire creates its own weather system

Before sunset, the fire had grown big enough to create its own weather system.

A massive, mushroom-shaped pyrocumulus cloud fed by the heat of the wildfire formed above, according to the National Weather Service.

"These can create very dangerous conditions for fire fighters," the NWS said via social media. "As of 6:30 p.m., we recorded over 3700 lightning strikes inside the clouds, with over 280 ground strikes."

More: Line Fire producing dangerous weather conditions for firefighters

The fire made uphill runs and spotted out in front of itself as it burned through grass and chaparral, according to CAL FIRE.

Firefighters were concerned about "potential for large fire growth" as the fire continued burning its way toward the north east, incident commanders said in a statement.

Both directions of Highway 330 were shut down "until further notice" Saturday afternoon between Highland Avenue in Highland and Highway 18 in Running Springs, according to Caltrans and sheriff's department officials.

Northbound traffic on Highway 18 was shut down Saturday evening between Kuffle Canyon Road and Running Springs, Caltrans said. Southbound traffic remained open.

Fire officials set up a base of operations at Aurantia Park, which was closed to the public.

What neighborhoods are under evacuation orders?

A mandatory evacuation order was issued about 9:30 a.m. Saturday for Highland residents living between Calle Del Rio and Garnet Road and between Highway 38 and Greenspot Road.

Sheriff's officials expanded the order Saturday afternoon to include the neighborhood north of Highland Avenue, between Orchard Road Orchard Road to Cloverhill Drive, in Highland, along with the community of Running Springs, east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18, as well as the neighboring community of Arrowbear Lake.

As night fell, an additional evacuation was ordered in San Bernardino for the neighborhood northeast of Highland and Palm avenue, according to the San Bernardino Police Department.

Residents in the mandatory evacuation area were urged to leave immediately.

Evacuation orders were also issued for undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail place, and north of Highland Avenue, sheriff's officials said.

Evacuation warnings, indicating evacuations were not yet required but could could become necessary soon, remained in effect for neighborhoods east of Church Street and north of Highland Avenue, as well as east of Weaver Street and north of Greenspot Road to the Iron Bridge, authorities said.

"Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now," according to a CAL FIRE statement.

An evacuation center was established at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28355 Baseline Street.

American Red Cross volunteers were sent to assist evacuees with shelter and other resources, according to representatives of the organization's Southern California Region.

The Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino was serving as a drop-off location for evacuated residents who need a temporary place for their pets, San Bernardino County officials said.

Weather outlook

Firefighters continued contending with triple-digit heat and low relative humidity levels.

The NWS predicted a slight change of thunderstorms and showers in the area on Saturday and Sunday.

An Excessive Heat Warning was in in effect in the area through 8 p.m. Monday.

More: Smoke from Line Fire impacting High Desert air quality

More: Line Fire exceeds 1,100 acres in San Bernardino County

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Evacuations ordered as Line Fire in Highland surpasses 7,100 acres