Nearly a month after it was reportedly intentionally started, the more than 43,000-acre Line Fire continues to prompt mandatory evacuations orders and warnings for residents in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Some 1,700 firefighters continue to battle the blaze from the ground and air, with a Sunday flare up on fire lines prompting an evacuation order for the community of Seven Oaks and warnings for several others.
While the majority of the fire is contained, 80% according to Cal Fire’s most recent update, there are two hard to reach, rugged areas where crews have yet to put up containment lines.
“The southwest wind fell into alignment with that fire along that slope and caused that fire to run for about an additional 2,000 acres,” Eric Sherwin with the San Bernardino County Fire Department told KTLA.
-
A flare up on the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has prompted additional evacuation orders and warnings on Sept. 30, 2024. (OnScene.TV) -
A flare up on the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has prompted additional evacuation orders and warnings on Sept. 30, 2024. (OnScene.TV) -
A flare up on the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has prompted additional evacuation orders and warnings on Sept. 30, 2024. (Valley Fire Photo) -
A flare up on the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has prompted additional evacuation orders and warnings on Sept. 30, 2024. (Valley Fire Photo) -
A flare up on the Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has prompted additional evacuation orders and warnings on Sept. 30, 2024. (Valley Fire Photo)
With weather conditions forecast to heat up in the coming days, fire officials are on high alert for even worse fire conditions.
For residents, like Denise and Jim Knight, who live in Big Bear and were forced to evacuate a few weeks ago and have since stayed ready, the fire has been a roller coaster ride.
“It’s been terrifying because once that wind changes, you have no idea where that fire is going to go,” Jim said.
The following communities are under mandatory evacuation orders:
- Angelus Oaks
- Seven Oaks
The following areas remains under an evacuation warning:
- Boulder Bay area of Big Bear, from the dam east to Wildrose Lane
- Community of Big Bear including Moonridge, Sugarloaf and south Erwin Lake
Officials with Bear Valley Unified School District announced this evening that classes are canceled on Tuesday.
Additionally, State Route 38 at Lake Williams Drive and in Angelus Oaks has been closed due to the ongoing effort to contain the flare up. San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe encouraged residents and motorists to use State Route 18 as an alternative.
Two evacuation shelters have been established at the following locations:
- Apple Valley Conference Center, located at 14975 Dale Evans Pkwy
- Redlands East Valley High School, located at 31000 Colton Avenue
The Line Fire is believed to have been intentionally started by 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco on Sept. 5 near Base Line and Alpin streets in Highland. He has since been arrested and charged with multiple felony counts.
As of Cal Fire’s most recent update at 3:30 p.m., the fire spans 43,459 acres.