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Line Fire in Highland explodes past 17,200 acres; injuries reported, emergency declared
As the Line Fire near Highland exploded past 17,400 acres on Saturday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County.
Nearly 628 fire personnel from several agencies are battling the Line Fire from the ground and air, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As the Line Fire in Highland exploded past 17,200 acres on Saturday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County.
The Line Fire, which sparked Thursday evening near Base Line Street and Aplin Street in Highland, is spreading in a northeast direction, authorities stated.
The fire expanded to 1,200 acres by Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, it was measured at 7,122 acres and on Sunday morning 17,459 acres.
More resources are arriving from across the state to battle the fire that is being fueled by critically dry vegetation and temperatures pushing past 100 degrees, fire officials stated.
Thunderstorm outflow winds are causing the fire to behave erratically, the San Bernardino County Fire Department reported on Sunday.
Three people have been injured in the blaze, according to Cal Fire, which did not reveal if the injured were civilians or fire personnel.
There are currently 35,405 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. A Damage Inspection Team has been ordered, according to Cal Fire.
As the Line Fire in Highland exploded past 17,200 acres on Saturday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County.
Line Fire evacuation orders
An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat to life. This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:
The area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North
All underdeveloped 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 communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake
The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
Line Fire evacuation warnings
An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property and residents should be ready to leave the area if law enforcement orders it. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.
Neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue
Neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge
Green Valley Lake
Area of Cedar Glen
Area of Lake Arrowhead
Area of Crestline
Area of Valley of Enchantment
Angelus Oaks
Seven Oaks
Mountain Home Village
Sheriff’s officials reported that they are actively performing additional patrols throughout all evacuated areas of Highland and are prepared to assist residents as needed.
For the latest evacuation center locations, visit prepare.sbcounty.gov/line-fire.
Line Fire evacuation shelters
Cal Fire announced that a new evacuation shelter has opened at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds Building No. 6 at 14800 Seventh St. in Victorville.
On Sunday, residents sheltering at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28355 Base Line St. in Highland were relocated to the newly established Jesse Turner Community Center at 15556 Summit Avenue in Fontana, which is temporarily closed for public activities, sheriff’s officials reported.
Animal evacuation shelter
Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino. For more information, call 909-386-9820 or 800-472-5609 after hours.
School Districts
On Sunday, Hesperia Unified School District officials said they’ve contacted the air quality management district and will continue to monitor air quality throughout the day. No decision has been made regarding school schedules for Monday, Sept. 9.
Due to the evacuation notices in East Highland, all Redlands Unified School District schools and facilities will be closed for students and staff on Monday, Sept. 9.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families and community members who have been affected directly by the Line Fire. We understand how challenging this time is for our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Juan Cabral stated. “Please know that the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, as we continue to monitor the situation closely with local emergency services.”
Redlands Unified families and staff will be notified by 4 p.m. on Monday if the closure will be extended, Cabral added.
Rim of the World Unified School District officials have called a non-student day on Monday, Sept. 9 for students and staff.
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, the Bear Valley Unified School District said classes will be in session on Monday, Sept. 9 as the fire poses no threat to schools.
Road closures
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 the California Department of Transportation 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.
Highway 18 is closed from Kuffle Canyon to Big Bear dam. Highway 330 remains closed in both directions
Garnet Street is closed at Highway 38 in Mentone.
More: Line Fire scorches more than 7,100 acres in San Bernardino County
Line Fire creates own weather system
Before sunset Saturday, 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.”
Smoke from Line Fire affects High Desert air quality
Smoke from the Line Fire has created hazy conditions in the High Desert.
On Saturday, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District issued an air advisory for potentially poor air quality through at least Monday due to wildfire smoke.
Emergency declaration
Newsom’s emergency declaration allows all state government agencies to use and employ personnel, equipment, and facilities to battle the fire that sparked on Thursday.
Among other provisions, the emergency proclamation supports affected residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates.
The declaration also allows the waiver of certain statutes and regulations so that hospitals, adult and senior care facilities, child care facilities, and other care facilities in the area can continue to provide services.
The Fire Management Assistant Grant, which is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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: Line Fire in Highland grows; injuries reported, evacuations ordered
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