Line Fire doubles in size overnight in San Bernardino County, with evacuations expanding
By Marissa Wenzke, Iris Salem, Dean Fioresi
Updated on: September 8, 2024 / 7:10 AM PDT / KCAL News
The massive Line Fire exploded to 17,459 acres Sunday in Southern California's San Bernardino County, threatening thousands of structures, with expanded mandatory evacuation orders.
Hundreds of firefighters battled the flames as the wildfire nearly doubled in size overnight and remained at zero containment, according to Cal-Fire. Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency, allowing for additional resources and funding to assist with the firefight.
Early Saturday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced a mandatory evacuation order for homes near the growing blaze.
By Sunday, Cal-Fire said evacuation orders had been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for 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; and north of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.
Paired with the sweltering heat currently roasting the region, weather officials say that the smoke from the fire has created clouds similar to those that come with thunderstorms, prompting reports of over 1,100 lightning strikes in the area.
"The heat affects them tremendously. You know, the work-rest cycles? They can work for a little bit but the body just needs to take a break after awhile," said Battalion Chief Brent Pascua of firefighters, who are working in extreme heat.
On top of this, the small fire-created storm system can also increase winds in the immediate area, which have fanned the flames as it continues to spread and create challenges for firefighters.
The wildfire first sparked along Baseline Road around 6 p.m. on Thursday and tore through several hundred more acres before exploding over Friday night and surpassing 3,000 acres. By Saturday, the fire had scorched more than 7,000 acres. The blaze has been burning near Highland, and on Friday, some residents said they could see it from their homes.
more at: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/in-line-fire-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-continues-to-grow/
CURRENT SITUATION: Forest Service Firefighters along with firefighters from other agencies including the City of Highland and San Bernardino County responded to a reported wildland fire on Baseline Road at about 6:00 PM on September 5, 2024. Arriving engines reported several acres on fire, and immediately requested more resources, including multiple additional fixed wing and helicopters. The fire is currently estimated at more than 7,000 acres. Due to steep slopes, extremely dry fuels, and changing wind directions the fire has continued to grow to the north, east and southeast.
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cabdf-line
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https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=35f8f75a490f4007bc983b39c208a629
https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=34.0174_-117.1101_10&id=Axis-RunningSprings2