Line, San Bernardino

Line, San Bernardino NF, USFS. Transfer of command from CIMT (CA Team 11) to CIMT (CA Team 4) will occur tomorrow. Started on private land 10 miles east of San Bernardino, CA. Grass and chaparral. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and creeping. Numerous structures, energy and communication infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

October 2, 2024 at 6:04 AM

The primary fire challenge is near Angelus Oaks off Highway 38, where east winds push the fire upslope from the Santa Ana River toward the community. Westerly winds are occurring nearby, complicating the situation, creating an area with battling wind patterns, making fire behavior unpredictable, and increasing the threat to critical areas. Additional concerns arise near Mile Creek, just south of Big Bear, where difficult terrain continues to hinder control efforts.

In the Bear Creek and Siberia Creek confluence, heat remains in inaccessible areas, increasing the risk of slope reversal and potential fire spread along Bear Creek and Siberia Creek, threatening Highway 18. This combination of difficult winds and terrain poses significant challenges to containment efforts.

October 1, 2024 at 6:43 AM

The Line Fire made a run up the Santa Ana River drainage yesterday. The last few days of above normal temperatures have dried out both the vegetation and moisture from the air. Firefighters had expected some movement along the open line in this area however, fire behavior exceeded expectations. The dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind aligned yesterday to create conditions for the rapid fire spread yesterday.

Due to this rapid fire growth, evacuation orders were issued for the Barton Flats and Seven Oaks areas. Evacuation warnings are in place for Angelus Oaks and the southwestern side of Big Bear Lake.

Although work continues in throughout the fire, the Santa Ana River drainage is the priority for today. Additional crews and equipment are focused in this area. Four night-flying helicopters are assigned to the incident and were actively dropping water in the drainage last night.

The San Bernardino National Forest is now in unified command with San Bernardino County Fire, CALFIRE San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office. Additional crews, equipment and air resources have arrived and more will be coming today.

September 28, 2024 at 8:40 AM

The Line Fire burned actively in the Bear Creek drainage and produced a lot of smoke over the day.  The containment line on the ridge was strengthened with multiple aircraft dropping retardant and water.  Several VLATS and at least 10 helicopters were working in this area.  Since the flight path crossed Highway 18 to the east of Snow Valley, the highway was temporarily closed for the aircraft to work on the fire for about an hour.

There is more fuel in the Bear Creek drainage that will burn creating smoky conditions in Big Bear Valley over the next few days.

Temperatures are expected to be in the highs ranging from the mid 70’s to the upper 80’s in the higher elevations and warmer, mid 80’s to low 90’s in the lower elevations.  Relative humidity will vary from 12- 50% across the fire with winds gusting around 15 MPH in the afternoon.

Highway 330 is closed.  Over 4 miles of guardrails were damaged in addition to structural damage to the roadbed.  CalTrans is focused on repairing this damage.

September 26, 2024 at 10:05 AM

There was minimal fire activity across the Line Fire Wednesday, though there was still some smoldering and isolated flareups.  Mostly clear skies prevailed across the fire area today. Thursday is expected to be a little warmer and drier and then there will be a slight cooling trend over the weekend before another warmup next week.

September 24, 2024 at 8:50 AM

Monday there was minimal fire activity on the Line Fire, with the exception of continued smoldering and isolated flareups.  For tonight, clear and cool conditions will prevail.  Temperatures will climb Tuesday, then another slight cool-down is expected.  An updated Smoke Outlook can be found at fire.airnow.govExternal Link. 

Damage Inspections Teams (DINS) have completed their inspections. In all, four structures were damaged, and one was destroyed. 

There have been multiple drone incursions over the Line Fire area. Please be respectful of those fighting the fire and the community members who are impacted by fire. Never fly drones near wildfire. If you fly, we can’t.

September 22, 2024 at 10:22 AM

In the early morning hours Sunday, the Line Fire showed minimal fire activity.  During the daytime hours Sunday, a wind shift is expected to carry smoke to areas north of the fire impacting Big Bear. An updated Smoke Outlook can be found at fire.airnow.govExternal Link. Temperatures will climb through the beginning of the week leading to drier vegetation. No significant winds are expected. 

Damage Inspections Teams (DINS) have completed their inspections. In all, four structures were damaged, and one was destroyed. 

September 21, 2024 at 9:22 AM

Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering reported. Continued construction and improving control lines.

September 19, 2024 at 10:38 AM

The Line Fire experienced minimal fire activity in the early morning hours Thursday. There is a slight chance of showers over the fire area today, and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday. Friday could also bring gusty outflow winds if thunderstorms develop. Warm weather over the weekend is expected to bring down the vegetation moisture levels which could lead to increased fire activity. Firefighters are strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots.

There have been multiple drone incursions over the Line Fire area. This impedes our firefighting operations and can have deadly consequences. Please be respectful of those fighting the fire and the community members who are impacted by fire. Never fly drones near wildfire. “If you fly, we can’t.”

A Local Assistance Center (LAC) will open Friday, September 20, 24 at the LA County Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768. It’s at the Expo Hall, please enter Gate 3.

Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified three structures that were damaged and one that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings, and commercial buildings.

There are currently 56,100 structures threatened, including 11,400 under Evacuation Orders and 44,700 under Evacuation Warnings. Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified 3 structures that were damaged and 1 that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings and commercial buildings.

September 16, 2024 at 9:51 AM

There were cloudy skies, fog and trace amounts of rain over the Line Fire area Sunday night into Monday. Strong, southwesterly winds gusting to 25mph on the ridges and upper slopes fueled active fire behavior where heat still exists. The fire is still smoldering and creeping in dry vegetation. Firefighters are continuing building and strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots.

Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified three structures that were damaged and one that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings, and commercial buildings.

There are currently 56,100 structures threatened, including 11,400 under Evacuation Orders and 44,700 under Evacuation Warnings.

September 15, 2024 at 10:15 AM

The Line Fire was active in the early morning hours Sunday due to a dry airmass in the upper elevations. The fire smoldered and crept on the ground in the lower elevations under the marine layer. Cool conditions prevail across the fire area. Late Sunday and into Monday, light rain is possible. Firefighters are strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots.

Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified three structures that were damaged and one that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings, and commercial buildings.

There are currently 56,100 structures threatened, including 11,400 under Evacuation Orders and 44,700 under Evacuation Warnings. Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified 3 structures that were damaged and 1 that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings and commercial buildings.

September 14, 2024 at 9:51 AM

Late Friday night and into the early hours Saturday, Line Fire activity was moderated due to higher moisture levels. The fire did however continue to smolder and creep in dry vegetation, and it made occasional runs in drainages and along slopes. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny and seasonably cool with poor visibility in the morning. The weather is expected to remain cool over the next several days which will continue to help moderate fire behavior. Firefighters are strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots.

There are currently 56,100 structures threatened, including 11,400 under Evacuation Orders and 44,700 under Evacuation Warnings. Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the fire area. So far, they have identified 3 structures that were damaged and 1 that was destroyed. Their inspections include residences, multi-family dwellings, outbuildings and commercial buildings.

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the California National Guard will support the state’s ongoing response to the Line Fire.  Through its activation, authorized under the Line Fire State of Emergency, the California National Guard is deploying:  

• Four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for water bucket dropping operations
• Two C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)
• Four 20-person hand crews (80 soldiers). They will be assigned to the Line Fire on Thursday in support of CAL FIRE.
• One military police company to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control points in evacuated areas. 

There are currently 65,600 structures threatened. A Damage Inspection Team (DINS) is working in the area to identify any structures that may have been damaged or destroyed.

September 13, 2024 at 10:41 AM

Fire behavior moderated due to increased humidity recovery. Fire continued to be active above 3500 feet elevation in the thermal belts, although activity was mainly flanking and backing.

Cool weather and smoke shading will affect fire growth and fuel moistures in the area are expected to return to near seasonal normal conditions. Fire established in drainages may still exhibit fire growth. Nighttime moisture recoveries will drastically slow down any fire growth during the night and early morning.

September 12, 2024 at 6:53 AM

Active fire behavior with Uphill Runs and Short-range Spotting.

The north and east sides of the fire burned with greatest intensity due to intense slope runs aligned with upcanyon winds.

Wednesday the north and east sides of the Line Fire burned with the greatest intensity due to winds aligning with steep slopes. Overnight and Thursday, cooler weather and smoke shading will moderate fire growth. Fire established in drainages will still exhibit fire spread.

Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) are working in the area to identify any structures that may have been damaged or destroyed.

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the California National Guard will support the state’s ongoing response to the Line Fire. Through its activation, authorized under the Line Fire state of emergency, the California National Guard is deploying:

Four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for water bucket dropping operations
Two C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)
Four 20-person hand crews (80 soldiers). They will be assigned to the Line Fire on Thursday in support of CAL FIRE.
One military police company to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control points in evacuated areas.

September 10, 2024 at 9:46 AM

Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2 (SWCIMT2) will be transferring command of the fire on Thursday, September 12.  New fire managers will arrive today, receive a briefing, and begin the transition with SWCIMT2, gathering information that will facilitate the change of command. Tomorrow’s update will be the final update from SWCIMT2. Thereafter, the Lassen National Forest public affairs officer will be the point of contact for Park Fire information. Today will be the final day that information is posted on community boards. The incident will be managed with fewer personnel and resources, but fire-suppression repair work will continue. 

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY: Winds today will be picking up again. Temperatures continue their downward trend reaching highs only in the 80s today. Despite this, relative humidity remains stubbornly low. These conditions encourage the spread of any new fires, so be particularly cautious while recreating and using equipment outdoors and be aware of applicable fire restrictions. Stumps and snags do continue to smolder and occasionally burn within the Park Fire perimeter; interior smoke might be visible but poses no danger. Hazy, smoky skies are the result of fires in other states. Get air-quality information for your area and view a smoke map here: tinyurl.com/ypkfbkyn.  

Planned Actions

Continue direct and indirect line construction, structure and community protection, identify and implement contingency opportunities, and maximize aircraft utilization where smoke conditions permit.

Weather Concerns

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke in the morning, widespread in the afternoon. Temps 80 to 95, RH 14 to 20%, Winds Southwest 7 to 12 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Local Red Flag Warning in effect 1100 to 2000 for the fire area for gusty winds, low humidity and very dry fuels.

September 9, 2024 at 9:35 PM

The north and east portions of the Line Fire experienced the most fire activity today. This evening there will be a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. The fire could remain active overnight as vegetation remains critically dry. Stronger winds are predicted Tuesday which could help fire spread and contribute to longer range spotting. Mid-week cooling may moderate fire activity and increase fuel moistures. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain and access is challenging. Firefighters are working to build control lines. There are currently 38,002 structures that are still threatened. This includes 8,800 structures under Evacuation Orders and 29,200 structures under Evacuation Warnings. A Damage Inspection Team (DINS) is working in the area.

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the California National Guard will support the state’s ongoing response to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County.
Through its activation, authorized under the Line Fire state of emergencyExternal Link, the California National Guard will deploy:  

• Four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for water bucket dropping operations
• Two C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)
• Four 20-person hand crews (80 soldiers). They report to Camp Roberts tomorrow for equipment distribution and will be assigned to the Line Fire on Thursday in support of CAL FIRE.
• One military police company to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control points in evacuated areas. 

September 9, 2024 at 7:30 AM

Through Monday morning, the fire will continue to be active, with slope and fuel driven runs. Low fuel moistures coupled with complex terrain will allow the fire to remain active, along with a continued chance for thunderstorms impacting the fire area.

Through Monday evening, the fire activity will continue to be active. There will be continued hot and dry weather conditions, along with critical fuel moistures in all fuel classes. Thunderstorm threats diminish but normal upslope winds will continue to influence the slope and fuel driven fire activity.

September 8, 2024 at 7:03 PM

The fire is active with uphill runs and short-range spotting and running. Fire activity moderated in the morning (September 8) due to smoke shading, but became more active as the air cleared and temperatures increased. The afternoon exhibited slope and fuel driven runs as well as short-range spotting.

Sunday’s observed weather included temperatures ranging from 103 to 87 with relative humidity levels at 22% – 35%.

Thunderstorms were widespread over the fire area with 10% of isolated showers. Winds were South East 5 to 6 mph with gusts to 12 mph. An excessive heat warning in effect for the fire area.

Sunday night’s weather forecast: Partly cloudy (25-35%). Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Temperatures will be 66 to 77 degrees and relative humidity levels 33% – 41%. Winds East 5 mph

September 8, 2024 at 1:24 PM

INITIAL SITUATION: Forest Service Firefighters along with firefighters from other agencies including the City of Highland and San Bernardino County responded to a reported wildland fire on Baseline Road at about 6:00 PM on September 5, 2024.  Arriving engines reported several acres on fire, and immediately requested more resources, including multiple additional fixed wing and helicopters.  

CURRENT SITUATION: Thunderstorm outflow winds are causing very erratic behavior on the Line Fire, and vegetation is critically dry. Today there will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over the fire area.  Temperatures will range from the upper 80’s to around 100 degrees and an Excessive Heat Warning continues throughout the day. The fire will start out under smoky skies today which will help moderate fire behavior, but as smoke clears through the afternoon, fire activity will once again pick up. Smoke remains a challenge for aircraft, limiting access to parts of the fire. Limited resources and logistical support have hampered fire control efforts. Afternoon thunderstorms could cause new ignitions and potentially influence activity around the fire perimeter. Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days.  There are currently 35,405 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. A Damage Inspection Team (DINS) has been ordered. There are currently 628 personnel assigned to the fire.

EVACUATIONS:  View the Interactive Map at https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=35f8f75a490f4007bc983b39c208a629 

Evacuation Orders:

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North
• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
• The communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake
• The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330

These above Evacuation Orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. An Evacuation order is MANDATORY and that there is an immediate threat to life and property. You must leave the area for your own safety.

Evacuation Warnings:

• 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
• Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, Mountain Home Village ***NEW***

These above Evacuation Warnings mean that conditions may worsen and you may be required to evacuate as conditions change. Gather essentials and be ready to leave quickly. If you require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

RESIDENT NEEDS TRANSPORTATION?

• If a resident in the Evacuation Zone needs transportation, they can call and ask for help.  
  San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Sheriff’s Department (sbcounty.gov)

The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) sends Important Messages and Emergency Alert Notifications from San Bernardino County Emergency Management. Visit http://readysb.com to sign up for this alert system on impending dangers.

EVACUATION SHELTER:

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds building 6 located at 14800 7th St, Victorville CA 92395
• Immanuel Baptist Church – 28335 Baseline St., Highland CA

ANIMAL SHELTER:

Devore Animal Shelter – 19777 Shelter Way, Devore CA. Additional Information.

ROAD AND AREA CLOSURES: Plan ahead on State Highways – Visit Division of Traffic Operations – Road Information – California Highway Information ]

• Baseline from Fairwood to Brockwood for fire operations. All residents can get to and from the area but must follow the detour instructions. 
• Highway 18 is closed from 1.3 mi north of the Junction of SR 173 /at Santa’s Village/ to Big Bear Dam (San Bernardino Co)
• Hwy 330 Is closed from Highland Ave in San Bernardino/ to the Junction of SR 18 at Live Oak Dr.  The fire has burned on both sides of Hwy 330 in some sections, so a longer-term closure should be expected.
• Aurantia Park, off Greenspot Road, is being used for a staging area and incident command post and is closed to the public.
• All Forest Service Roads between Highway 18 and Highway 38.  This includes, but not limited to: Forest Roads 1N22, 1N09 & 1N16, 

SMOKE IMPACTS:  Please visit AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for current smoke impacts:  For tips on how to reduce your exposure and health impacts from smoke, please visit Reduce Your Smoke Exposure (airnow.gov)

WEATHER: Hot conditions will continue through Monday, followed by a rather rapid cooling trend with temperatures mostly below normal by Wednesday. Scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty winds will develop again Sunday afternoon over the valleys, mountains and deserts. Areas of smoke will occur due to wildfires in the region the rest of this weekend. Gusty west winds could accompany the cooling trend around Tuesday or Wednesday next week in the mountains and deserts.

DRONE SAFETY – KNOW WHERE YOU CAN FLY:  Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. When drones interfere with firefighting efforts, a wildfire has the potential to grow larger and cause more damage. For more information on drones the public can visit the FAA’s website at Home – Know Before You Fly . “If you fly, we can’t!”