Overview: California Governor Gavin Newsom has called upon the California National Guard to aid in containing the Line Fire, which has burned through tens of thousands of acres of brush and forced thousands of San Bernardino County residents to be placed under evacuation order. The fire has left over 6,000 people displaced and has caused smoky skies across the area. San Bernardino County Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira advises residents to take appropriate precautions, including staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed. CAL FIRE predicts stronger winds which can lead to greater fire spread, but cooler weather may help slow the spread.
Aryana Noroozi
Residents of the Inland Empire are experiencing the effects of back-to-back fires as thousands of acres continue to burn.
A San Bernardino County update released on Tuesday night alerted residents that the Bridge Fire quickly crossed from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County and immediately threatened the communities of Wrightwood, Pinion Hills, Mt. Baldy, San Antonio Heights and the northern part of the City of Upland.
Residents of San Bernardino County can find evacuation centers at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds (Building 6 – 14800 7th St, Victorville, CA 92395) and Jessie Turner Community Center (15556 Summit Ave, Fontana, CA 92336).
At 9:13 p.m. on Sept. 10, the San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer proclaimed an emergency and plans to ask the Board of Supervisors to ratify the action at an emergency special meeting.
The Bridge Fire began on Sept. 8 in Los Angeles County and has now burned 47,904 acres. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Line Fire
The Line Fire, which began last Thursday, has burned through tens of thousands of acres of brush and forced thousands of San Bernardino County residents to be placed under evacuation order. On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom called upon the California National Guard to aid in containing the fire.
Within the first 24 hours of the fire beginning – along Base Line Road and Aplin Street in Highland – San Bernardino County issued an emergency as the fire burned through 7,000 acres.
The Line Fire is currently more than 34,600 acres and is just 14% contained.
“As the Line Fire continues to pose a threat to San Bernardino communities, we’re pouring resources into this incident aggressively by deploying more air and ground support through the California National Guard,” Newsom said in a statement “This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their backs.”
Through its activation, authorized under the Line Fire state of emergency, 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) and four 20-person hand crews (80 soldiers). They report to Camp Roberts for equipment distribution and will be assigned to the Line Fire on Thursday in support of Cal Fire. Additionally, one military police company will be deployed to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control points in evacuated areas.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued evacuation orders for over 6,000 people including all of Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village. Evacuation warnings were also issued Green Valley Lake, Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Valley of Enchantment, Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks. Those with pets and livestock were told to leave their homes immediately.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported via X, formerly Twitter, that Highland Station detectives, together with Cal Fire investigators, identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg as the suspect who started the Line Fire on September 5, 2024. On Sept. 10, Halstenberg was found, arrested and booked for arson.
San Bernardino County Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira advised county residents who live near the Line Fire or in areas impacted by the fire’s smoke to be mindful of weather alerts and to take precautions.
“Smoky conditions can be hazardous for young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma and bronchitis, and individuals with other respiratory ailments,” stated Dr. Sequeira in a news release. “Older adults and children should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, or seek alternate shelter.”
San Bernardino County Unified School District issued a closure report for Bonnie Oehl Elementary School and Serrano Middle School. Corona Norco Unified School District is taking precautionary measures and requiring all students to stay indoors throughout the day, except during passing periods. This will include keeping students indoors upon student drop-off and ceasing all outdoor activities, morning recess, and athletics.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued an air quality alert due to “increased fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke in the region” across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The air quality alert went into effect on Monday, Sept. 10. South Coast AQMD also recommends that those who must be outside should wear a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator which may provide some protection.
Other fires
On Monday, Sept. 10, the Sunset Fire sparked in Riverside County. It began on Sunset Avenue & W Westward Avenue in Banning and was contained by the end of the night. It left red, smoky skies across the area throughout Monday.
Across the state, hundreds of wildfires continue to burn, with more that 900,000 acres burned. Commuters along the 91 freeway passing the city of Corona could see billows of smoke coming from the Airport Fire in Orange County, located at Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon. The fire has burned more than 9,300 acres and is zero percent contained.
Health Concerns
In addition, public health officials advise county residents who live near the Line Fire or in areas affected by its smoke to stay alert to changing smoke levels and to take appropriate precautions.
“Smoky conditions can be hazardous for young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma and bronchitis, and individuals with other respiratory ailments,” stated Dr. Sequeira. “Older adults and children should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, or seek alternate shelter.” His recommendations also included keeping pets indoors and keeping them in rooms with proper ventilation and watching for signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and fatigue.
For individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung or heart diseases, Dr, Sequeira stated they should ensure that they have at least a five-day supply of medication on hand. Individuals with asthma should consult their physician about an asthma management plan and stick to it during unusually smoky conditions.
Even for those who have not been previously diagnosed with such illnesses as smoke can “unmask” or produce symptoms of these conditions and residents should contact their doctor if they have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
As temperatures soar, he recommended for air conditioning to be run on a “recirculation” function. If air is recirculating it makes breathing easier rather than drawing smoky air from outdoors. If you see visible smoke outside, do not use a swamp cooler.
South Coast Air Quality Management District recommends that a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection if residents must go outside.
There are currently 65,600 structures threatened, including 9,200 structures under Evacuation Orders and 56,400 structures under Evacuation Warnings.
Stay updated on the status of the Line Fire here via CAL FIRE.