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San Bernardino, LA counties get a start on wildfire recovery efforts
San Bernardino Sep 19, 2024
Information abounds at county assistance centers for residents impacted by wildfires. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
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As containment of the Bridge Fire and Line fire steadily increases thanks largely to cooler, more humid weather this week, officials in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties are beginning to focus on recovery efforts.
The Bridge Fire and Line Fire combined have consumed about 94,000 acres in both counties, destroying many homes in Wrightwood and properties in Running Springs, San Bernardino county officials reported. Firefighters from throughout the county and the state have achieved significant containment of both blazes, and many evacuated residents have been able to return to their neighborhoods.
“San Bernardino County has entered the recovery phase of the dual emergency with plans to open Local Assistance Centers … jointly with Los Angeles County to assist residents impacted by the fires,” according to a county statement.
A local assistance center is a one-stop-shop that provides information to individuals, families and business owners on available services and assistance from government agencies and nonprofits.
Services available at the two assistance center locations — the Fairplex in Pomona and California State University, San Bernardino — will include information on and assistance with processing insurance claims, proper property cleanup strategies, assistance replacing vital records, navigating the repair and rebuilding process and other resources for community recovery. Residents should bring appropriate documentation relevant to the impact on their property, if available, officials said.
“We are pleased to team up with Los Angeles County to offer needed support to our residents who have suffered unimaginable loss from the Bridge and Line fires,” San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors chair Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “The resiliency of our residents and the heroic efforts of firefighters from San Bernardino County and throughout the state have been an inspiration to us all. Because of their courage we can now enter the recovery phase of these disasters.”
LA County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement, “Mobilizing recovery support for Bridge Fire survivors quickly is critical. My heart goes out to everyone that is struggling with loss. It can feel overwhelming and it’s common to not know where to start. I encourage anyone who has been impacted by the Bridge Fire to visit our LA County Local Assistance Center. You’ll find helpful recovery resources, including supports for debris removal and rebuilding permits. Recovery is a long road, but our County stands tall and ready to help.”
Assistance center locations and operation times are: Pomona Fairplex, Friday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Expo Hall 8, enter Gate 3; and California State University, San Bernardino, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 5500 University Parkway in San Bernardino.
More information and additional recovery resources are at Prepare.SBCounty.gov.
LA County residents may visit Recovery.LACounty.gov/BridgeFire. Residents may also call 211 toll free 24 hours a day for information and other referral services.
The Line Fire erupted Sept. 5 near Base Line Road and Alpin Street in Highland, according to Cal Fire. Currently it is over 39,000 acres.
The Bridge Fire began around 3 p.m. Sept. 8 near East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads. The blaze increased Sept. 10 from 4,100 to 49,008 acres and spread from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County. By early Friday the fire was 51,884 acres with 3% containment, according to Cal Fire.
On Saturday, the fire grew to 52,960 acres with containment still at just 3%, and on Monday officials reported the fire’s size at 54,690 with 11% containment. Tuesday the burned area increased slightly to 54,795 acres with containment jumping to 25%, then 35% by early Wednesday.
The initial report assessed the blaze at 75 acres, but it swelled to 820 acres by 7 a.m. Sept. 9 with 0% containment as a result of high winds and low humidity. By noon that day, the fire had increased to 1,255 acres with containment still at 0%.
Thick brush propelled the wildfire into the San Bernardino County community of Wrightwood and the Mountain High Ski Resort.
A public meeting took place Monday at Lytle Creek Community Center, 14082 Center Road in San Bernardino. The meeting was live streamed on the new Angeles National Forest’s YouTube channel.
Gov. Gavin Newsom secured funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fighting all the fires in California, including three active blazes in Southern California — the Bridge Fire, Airport Fire and Line Fire.
Newsom traveled last week to Highland, where he was briefed at the Line Fire Incident Command Post and visited neighborhoods on the edge of blaze. He proclaimed a state of emergency for LA, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in response to the wildfires.
The LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an emergency declaration in response to the fire. Local emergency status speeds up funding to the county from state and federal sources. Board Chair Lindsey Horvath initially issued the declaration last week.
On Sept. 12, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency proclamation in response to the fires.
