The blaze intensified over the weekend to 17,459 acres in the Highland area; more than 35,000 structures are threatened by the fire.
A wildfire fueled by dry vegetation, amidst a dangerous extreme heatwave, triggered evacuation orders in San Bernardino County due to the blaze that broke out on the night of Thursday, September 5. The fire, which has spread across 17,459 acres, is currently 0% contained.
The so-called Line Fire, in the Highland area, intensified this Saturday due to a shift in wind direction and high temperatures in the region. This led authorities to issue evacuation orders and close several roads.
According to Cal Fire, as of Sunday morning, at least three firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, with no details provided about their physical condition.
Authorities have not reported any homes destroyed by the fire, but about 35,405 structures were threatened in the Highland area, including residential homes, commercial buildings and other minor structures.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire and announced new federal grants to address the vegetation fire in Highland.
This declaration allows those affected by the fire to gain quicker access to unemployment benefits and provides an opportunity to recover lost documents, such as birth and marriage certificates.
Newsom stated that a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was obtained from FEMA, allowing local agencies to request reimbursement of up to 75% of their firefighting costs.
According to authorities, the fire created its own weather conditions, forming pyrocumulus clouds (also known as fire clouds).
The National Weather Service reported around 3,700 lightning strikes in the clouds and over 270 strikes on the ground, with the potential to spark additional fires.
Continue reading: The largest fire of the year devastates Northern California
Additionally, thunderstorms generated downdrafts that pushed the fire in unpredictable directions, according to Chris Prater from the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
“Firefighters are facing a very tough battle. They’re working under temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, in steep terrain, and with new weather conditions, including thunderstorms,” Prater said.
In response to the advancing flames, authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings that remained in effect on Sunday for the following areas:
Evacuation Orders:
- The area from Del Rio Street to Highway 38, including the north of Greenspot Road.
- 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.
- The communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake.
- The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the hills.
- North of Highland Avenue and east of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.
Evacuation Warnings:
- Neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue.
- Neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to Iron Bridge.
- Green Valley Lake.
- Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Enchanted Valley.
Road Closures:
- Highway 330 remains closed in both directions between Base Line Street, Interstate 210 in Highland, and Highway 18 in Running Springs.
- There are road closures on Base Line Street from Fairwood to Brockwood due to firefighting operations.
- Aurantia Park, near Greenspot Road, is also closed to public vehicle traffic.
An evacuation shelter has been set up for affected residents at Immanuel Baptist Church, located at 28355 Base Line Street.
A pet shelter is available at Devore Animal Shelter, located at 19777 Shelter Way.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the causes of this vegetation fire.
source – laopinion
