Wildfire East of Los Angeles Prompts Evacuations, Threatens 35,000 Structures

HIGHLAND, Calif. — A rapidly spreading wildfire in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles has jeopardized thousands of homes, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate over the weekend amidst an intense heatwave with temperatures soaring into the triple digits.

The fire, known as the Line Fire, is raging along the periphery of the San Bernardino National Forest, approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. As of Sunday morning, approximately 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) of brush and grassland had been consumed by flames, accompanied by a thick plume of smoke that enveloped the region.

Over the weekend, the fire’s intensity escalated, generating pyroculumus clouds that resembled thunderstorms, which could lead to additional complications for firefighting efforts. These phenomena may bring gusty winds and lightning strikes, as noted by the National Weather Service. Firefighters are also contending with the steep and rugged terrain, further hindering efforts to control the blaze. As of Sunday afternoon, containment efforts were still ongoing.

In response to the crisis, county officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening and issued evacuation orders for the communities of Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, areas east of Highway 330, and other nearby regions.

Residents like Steven Michael King, from Running Springs, initially intended to stay and help combat the fire but changed his mind as conditions worsened. He had prepared his home to withstand fire damage but ultimately chose to evacuate to avoid being trapped due to smoke. “It came down to, which is worse, being trapped or being in a shelter?” he reflected outside an evacuation center. “When conditions changed, I had to make a quick decision, just a couple of packs and it all fits in a shopping cart.”

Another evacuee, Michael Lee of Arrowbear Lake, took his dog and left his home on Saturday afternoon. As a photographer, he returned briefly to collect his camera, only to find himself caught in a prolonged journey to Highland’s evacuation center, which took nearly seven hours. “I wanna get back home,” he expressed while waiting in his car. “The triple-digit weather down here is nasty.”

State firefighting officials reported that three firefighters had sustained injuries as they battled the blaze, which threatened over 35,000 structures, including both residential and commercial buildings. Additional thunderstorms that were anticipated later on Sunday posed further challenges for containment efforts.

“Afternoon thunderstorms could lead to new ignitions and possibly complicate conditions on the fire’s perimeter,” state firefighters cautioned in a Sunday morning update. With persistent hot and dry weather coupled with thunderstorms expected in the coming days, the firefighters face an uphill battle.

The blaze is situated near small mountain towns within the San Bernardino National Forest, an area favored by Southern Californians for skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. Running Springs lies along the route to the renowned ski resort town of Big Bear.

Local resident Joe Franco, an employee at Noah’s Restaurant in downtown San Bernardino, stated that his friends in evacuation zones were bracing to leave at a moment’s notice. The thick smoke from the fire had already reached downtown San Bernardino. “They’re just kind of hanging on tight and getting their stuff ready to move,” Franco remarked. “Normally they’re here, but a lot of people are not coming today.”

The Line Fire also disrupted education, leading the Redlands Unified School District to cancel classes for approximately 20,000 students on Monday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday night, allowing for additional resources to be mobilized. More firefighters were expected to arrive on-site to assist in battling the blaze. State officials warned that vegetation in the area was critically dry, and temperatures had exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) over the weekend, creating an ideal environment for the fire to spread.

The origin of the blaze, which ignited Thursday evening, is currently under investigation. Over 600 firefighters are actively working to control the fire with the aid of helicopters dropping water over vulnerable homes and hillside areas. Unfortunately, Cal Fire officials were unavailable for further information about the injured firefighters on Sunday.

The ferocity of the fire has produced swirling and dense smoke, with flames visible climbing the ridges of hills. Fortunately, no structures have been reported damaged or lost so far.

The National Weather Service recorded a high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius) in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, marking only the third time since 1877 that such extreme temperatures have been recorded.