Fire Explodes in San Bernardino County, Evacuations Ordered

The massive Line Fire exploded to more than 7,100 acres Saturday in Southern California’s San Bernardino County, as more than 500 homes in the town of Highland faced mandatory evacuation orders.

About 500 firefighters battled the flames as the fire nearly doubled in size in a matter of hours and remained out of control, according to the San Bernardino National Forest. Early Saturday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced a mandatory evacuation order for homes near the growing fire.

Coupled with the sweltering heat currently gripping Southern California, weather officials say smoke from the fire has created clouds similar to those that accompany thunderstorms, leading to reports of lightning strikes in the area.

Additionally, the small storm system created by the fire may also increase winds in the immediate area, which has fanned the flames as they continue to spread through the region.

The fire broke out along Baseline Road around 6pm on Thursday and burned several hundred more hectares before exploding to over 3,000 hectares on Friday night. The fire is raging near Highland and some residents said on Friday they could see it from their homes.

“The flames were right in front of us because the wind shifted,” said Brian Gano, who lives in Highland. He was trying to put out the flames with his wife and son. “I have a high-pressure line in my backyard.”

The sky above San Bernardino County lit up with a bright orange hue as bright red flames tore through brush. Firefighters flew through thick columns of smoke to make drops of fire retardant, battling the blaze from the air and the ground.

They had managed to contain the flames in the San Bernardino National Forest, but winds began to carry them toward homes.

“We had to fight the fires hard to protect these homes,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua.

Meanwhile, residents in the area waited Friday to hear whether they would have to evacuate. Diya Hirpara, one of them, said she was shopping for groceries as she waited to prepare.

“It was pretty scary,” Hirpara said. “We were on the edge, waiting.”

Evacuation warnings have been in place for two days But authorities issued a mandatory order Saturday for the first time asking residents to flee immediately. The order is in effect in an area stretching from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North.

In total, 506 homes in that area alone are affected, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez.

Sheriff’s officials later announced new evacuations just before noon, with the order in effect for all undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue.

“This is an order from law enforcement to vacate the scene immediately,” Cal Fire officials said, describing the fire as “an immediate threat to life.”

Additional evacuation orders were issued around 4:30 p.m. Saturday as the fire continued to grow. Residents living near Highways 330 and 18 were asked to leave their homes immediately after the flames spread.

Shortly before 7 p.m., additional evacuation orders were issued by the San Bernardino Police Department to a neighborhood of homes north and east of Highland Avenue and Palm Avenue.

Shortly after, the orders were expanded to include the entire communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake, as well as the area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill, from Highland Ave north to the foothills, SBSD deputies said.

An evacuation shelter has been set up at Immanuel Baptist Church, located at 28355 Baseline Street in Highland.

The American Red Cross is also helping displaced people with shelter, water and other resources.

Amid the chaos, as thousands of people attempt to leave their homes due to evacuation orders, a A small earthquake shook the regiona, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Air quality regulators issued a smoke advisory Friday to warn people of dangerous conditions as smoke from the line fire is carried by the wind to surrounding areas. The air quality is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “very unhealthy,” a category that indicates that everyone, including people with no health problems, could experience harmful side effects.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, winds were blowing smoke from the wildfire west toward the cities of Highland and San Bernardino, and residents in those areas were expected to feel the effects Friday and Saturday.

A map showing the latest smoke and air quality conditions can be found here.

As for road closures, officials said Baseline Road is closed from Fairwood to Brockwood for firefighting operations. “All residents can travel to and from the area but should follow detour instructions,” officials said in an update Saturday.

Aurantia Park in Highland is also closed to the general public.

A complete list of the latest evacuation orders, road closures and other information for those affected can be found here.