Line Fire Still Burning At Zero Percent Containment

HIGHLAND, CA — The Line Fire in Highland continued to burn at 17,459 acres with zero percent containment throughout the day Sunday, resulting in injured firefighters, evacuation orders and more than 35,000 structures under threat, according to authorities.

“Thunderstorm outflow winds are causing very erratic behavior on the Line Fire, and vegetation is critically dry,” according to a situation summary from Cal Fire. “Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days.”

Three firefighters had been injured in the blaze as of Sunday afternoon.

The area was under an excessive heat warning Sunday and more than 35,000 structures were threatened, including homes and commercial buildings. Over 600 personnel were assigned to the blaze.

Containment remained at zero percent as of 3:46 p.m. Sunday. Air quality was unhealthy or unhealthy for sensitive groups across much of the surrounding area Sunday evening, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County in response to the fire.

“It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities,” Newsom said in a news release announcing the state of emergency proclamation.

The fire was first reported around 6:30 p.m. Thursday near Base Line and Aplin streets.

As of Sunday evening, evacuation orders were in place for the following areas:

• 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;
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330;
• Garnet Street east to Highway 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills;
• The community of Forest Falls;
• The community of Mountain Home Village.

Evacuation warnings were in place for:

• Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills;
• Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road;
• Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18;
• Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Valley of Enchantment;
• Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks.

Evacuees were being directed to seek shelter at San Bernardino County Fairgrounds Building 6, 14800 7th Street in Victorville, or Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, 15556 Summit Ave. in Fontana. Evacuated animals should be brought to Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino.

Road closures included:

• Highway 18 from Kuffel Canyon to the Big Bear Dam. Those in Running Springs will be able to get out but will not be allowed back in;
• Highway 18 northbound (inbound) from Kuffle Canyon to Running Springs;
• Highway 18 from Running Springs to Highway 38 (Big Bear Dam);
• Highway 330 from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs;
• Garnet Street at State Route 38 in Mentone.