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Fire Sep 09, 2024
The Line Fire rages near Highland. | Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE BDU/X
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The Line Fire in San Bernardino County that has prompted evacuations and road closures has burned 39,232 acres as of Friday morning, while cooler temperatures and higher humidity compared with last week’s weather helped fire crews achieve 53%, according to Cal Fire.
A “local assistance center” opened today at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. The center is at the Expo Hall, through Gate 3. On Saturday and Monday, the assistance center was scheduled to operate at Cal State San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway in San Bernardino. The centers operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Early Friday morning, the humidity rose allowing for higher moisture content in the vegetation which continued to help moderate fire activity on the Line Fire,” fire officials said in a statement. “Today there is a chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening that could produce brief heavy rain and gusty and erratic outflow winds. Saturday into early next week is expected to be warmer and drier.
“Damage Inspections Teams … have completed their inspections. In all, four structures were damaged and one was destroyed,” officials said. “Today’s wind shift is expected to push smoke to areas that are southeast of the fire, which should help clear up smoke in the communities across the northern portions of the fire.”
Officials also said multiple drone incursions over the fire area impeded firefighting operations, adding that “deadly consequences” can result from unauthorized aircraft.
“Please be respectful of those fighting the fire and the community members who are impacted by fire,” officials said. “Never fly drones near wildfire. If you fly, we can’t.”
Four firefighters were injured, and the fire has destroyed one structure and damaged four, according to Cal Fire. On Friday 739 structures were threatened.
The Line Fire erupted Sept. 5 near Base Line Road and Alpin Street in Highland, according to Cal Fire.
As of Thursday morning, Highway 330 was closed northbound from Highland Avenue to Live Oak Avenue.
An evacuation order was in effect from Sept. 20-Nov. 30 for a “forest closure area” around the Line Fire that includes all Angeles National Forest lands, trails and roads closed to the public within that zone, including the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
Evacuation warnings in effect since the fire’s start were lifted for Fawnskin, Running Springs and Angelus Oaks.
An evacuation shelter is at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Building 6, 14800 Seventh St. in Victorville.
The Devore Animal Shelter is accepting large and small animals at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino, 909-386-9820 or 800-472-5609 after business hours. The Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 West Ave. I, and the Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierrra Highway, are accepting small animals. The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 W Avenue H in Lancaster, is accepting large animals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County and announced that the state has secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for firefighting resources.
Newsom’s proclamation eases access to unemployment benefits and waives fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates for residents impacted by the blaze. The proclamation also allows for exemption from certain laws and regulations to enable fire-impacted hospitals and care facilities to continue operating.
The FEMA grant is through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis and assists local, state and tribal agencies to apply for 75% reimbursement of fire suppression costs.
Last week, Newsom deployed 80 California National Guard troops, several aircraft and a military police unit to help fight the Line Fire, which along was active in the Southland with the 54,000-acre Bridge Fire and 39,000-acre Airport Fire.
A total of 3,399 personnel were fighting the blaze, along with 315 fire engines, 37 dozers, 38 water tenders and 15 helicopters, according to Cal Fire on Thursday.
The Line Fire’s cause was under investigation.
Maps of the evacuation zones and fire containment, as well as updates on the firefight, are available at the Cal Fire website.
Updated Sept. 20, 2024, 11:17 a.m.
