A state of emergency has been declared in San Bernardino County as firefighters work to contain a 17,000-acre wildfire amid an intense heat wave gripping Southern California.
The fast-moving Line Fire ignited in Highland on Thursday and has since expanded to 17,459 acres as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire. Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate as fire crews battle both the flames and the extreme weather conditions fueling the fire’s rapid growth.
The blaze, which is spreading swiftly through the San Bernardino National Forest, has presented significant challenges for firefighters due to the combination of steep terrain, triple-digit temperatures, and thunderstorms that have caused unpredictable fire behavior.
Approximately 600 firefighters are currently working to contain the fire, which is threatening around 8,000 structures in its path.
“The first thing I grabbed was my mother’s ashes,” shared Blaine Bacher, a resident of Arrowbear Lake who evacuated his home. “Then I grabbed my dog’s things, made sure my stepdad got out, and everything else was secondary.”
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas:
- From Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North.
- All undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue.
- Areas of Running Springs east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18.
- Communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake.
- The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills.
- North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.
Evacuation warnings are in place for:
- Neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue.
- Neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.
- Green Valley Lake.
- Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment.
Wildfire Through Southern California (Photo: Ethan Swope)Road closures include:
- Highway 18 is closed northbound (inbound) from Kuffle Canyon to Running Springs, allowing only southbound (outbound) traffic.
- Highway 18 is closed from Running Springs to Highway 38 (Big Bear Dam).
- Highway 330 is closed from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs.
Evacuation shelters have been established at:
- San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Building 6 — 14800 7th St., Victorville, CA 92395.
- Immanuel Baptist Church — 28355 Base Line St., Highland, CA 92346.
- Devore Animal Shelter (Large and Small Animals) — 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has issued a wildfire smoke advisory for large portions of Southern California, spanning from Menifee to Santa Clarita, due to smoke from the fire.
Satellite images indicate smoke moving across the South Coast Air Basin, with air quality levels ranging from moderate to hazardous in areas near the Line Fire, particularly Highland, Running Springs, and Lake Arrowhead. The advisory is in effect through 5 p.m. Sunday.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s state of emergency declaration enables the state to provide additional resources to combat the fire and assist impacted residents.
The state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the response effort.
The declaration also ensures displaced residents have access to unemployment benefits and waives fees for essential documents, including marriage and birth certificates, as well as replacement driver’s licenses.