Line Fire burning thousands of acres, triggers evacuations in East Highland and Running Springs

EVACUATION MAP
CAL FIRE UPDATES

This is a developing story. Updates to come.

The Line Fire is burning 26,516 acres near the San Bernardino National Forest in East Highland. As of Saturday afternoon, evacuation orders have been issued for several areas of East Highland and mountain communities.

Authorities say roughly 65,000 homes and structures are at risk, but no damage has been reported. The fire is at 5% containment.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency for San Bernardino County and secured federal resources to support fire agencies.

Where are evacuations happening?

Evacuation orders are in effect for following areas:

• The communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake.
• Calle Del Rio east to Highway 38 and Greenspot Road North to the foothills
• All undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill Drive from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and east of Palm Avenue to Highway 330.
• Forest Falls
• The communities of Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Mountain Home Village, including all campgrounds and cabins

Residents in these areas are being urged to leave immediately.

What areas are under evacuation warning?

• From 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.
• The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment.
• Garnet Street east to Bryant Street and Carter Street north to Mill Creek
• Big Bear Valley from the dam to Cactus Road
• Garnet Street east to the 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills
• Calle Del Rio east to Highway 38

Are any evacuation centers open?

• The evacuation center is being moved from the Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland to the Jessie Turner Community Center in Fontana, 15556 Summit Avenue.
• Another center is located at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th Street in Victorville.
• Residents with pets can take them to the Devore Animal Shelter.

What roads are closed?

• Highway 18 is currently closed from Kuffel Canyon to the Big Bear Dam. If you are in Running Springs, you are able to get out but you will not be allowed back in. Additionally, Highway 330 remains closed from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs. 
• Highway 18 is closed going northbound (inbound) from Kuffel Canyon to Running Springs.
• Only southbound (outbound) traffic is allowed.
• Highway 18 is closed from Running Springs to Highway 38 (Big Bear Dam).
• Highway 330 is closed from Highland Ave to Highway 18 in Running Springs.
• Garnet St. closed at SR-38 in Mentone, California.
• An additional closure will be set up at Angelus Oaks. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls will be evacuated down bound on SR-38 towards Mentone. Residents of Angelus Oaks will be evacuated up bound towards Big Bear.

How are firefighters responding?

Over 600 firefighters from multiple agencies are fighting the fire, according to the U.S. National Forest Service. Helicopters have been dropping water since Thursday evening, but the steep and rugged terrain is making it a difficult fight.

Two firefighters suffered heat related injuries, but have since been treated.

Is the fire under control?

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and firefighters are working to contain it as it continues to spread.

How’s the fire impacting local air quality?

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke advisory for much of Southern California, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Residents — especially those with respiratory conditions, children and the elderly — are advised to stay indoors when possible.

How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can create unhealthy air quality, even in areas miles away from the fire. The South Coast Air Quality Management District recommends staying indoors with windows and doors closed. If you must be outdoors, keep it brief and consider wearing an N-95 or P-100 respirator mask. Avoid vigorous physical activity. Do not burn wood, candles or incense in your home. Run your AC if you have one. Those with heart and lung conditions should be extra cautious.

How to properly clean up ash

Ash from wildfires can be hazardous to your health. When cleaning ash, wear a respirator mask, goggles, long sleeves and long pants. Do not leaf blow ash away. Experts recommend misting ash with water, then either using a mop or broom to sweep it up. Do not pour ashy water into storm drains and instead direct it to ground areas. Collected ash should be placed in a plastic bag and thrown in the regular trash. Be sure to clean off outside toys and get cars washed.

How's the fire impacting our weather?

The National Weather Service told KVCR that the fire spawned 'pyrocumulonimbus clouds' on Saturday, causing around 300 ground lightning strikes and windy conditions, making firefighting more dangerous. The NWS says these conditions could continue today.

Are schools closed due to the fire?

Redlands Unified School District, Rim of the World Unified School District and the Bear Valley Unified School District announced schools will be closed on Monday September 9 due to the Line Fire. San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College will also be closed until further notice.

University of Redlands announced classes will be shifting to remote instruction for Monday. Meanwhile, Chaffey College says they'll continue to monitor the fire, but classes remain in session.

What are locals saying?

"That's really helping with the fire, because this place that it's in and the forest, is very rugged, very steep, inaccessible."

-U.S. National Forest Service spokesperson Gustavo Bahena on how aerial support is helping battle the fire.

"They didn’t have much aircraft flying over it. We didn’t have the red retardant lines. There’s a lot of smoke today, but it seems a little bit more settling."

-East Highland resident Jennifer Burton on firefighting efforts on Friday.

"We'll figure out a way. You know, right now we're kind of busy and we're a little bit cramped. Sometimes it takes time, but we make sure everybody is taken care of."

-Maria Laverty, volunteer with the Red Cross, who supported with evacuation center efforts at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Highland.

"I don't think anybody's going to sleep real hard tonight. I think that they will have lights on and kind of have their ear tuned in to what's going on out there. But it's a massive fire...You just don't know what a fire is going to do."

-East Highland resident Faye Norquist on unpredictability of Line Fire.

"When you hear first responders telling you to get out now, it means now."

-Evacuated resident, Steven Michael King of Lake Arrowhead, on maintaining calm and listening to orders from officials.

Sources: Cal Fire, National Weather Service, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department