Line Fire in east Highland grows to more than 7,100 acres; evacuation orders in place

HIGHLAND, Calif. (KABC) -- Shifting winds and dry brush led a fire in the Highland area to explode in size to more than 7,100 acres on Saturday, forcing evacuations.

The Line Fire started Thursday evening and grew to around 3,800 acres as of Saturday morning. But as weather conditions changed later in the day, and at times generated intense lightning strikes, the blaze nearly doubled in size within a matter of hours.

Communities in the area were ordered to evacuate and roads were shut down.

No serious injuries were reported and no homes were reported destroyed as of Saturday evening.

"The wind shifted right around 4:30," said Highland resident Scott Kuzdal. "Because all day the wind's been blowing light, in the opposite direction up the mountain. And then the wind shifted out of nowhere, and it really shot flames to the houses at the top of the street."

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County for the fire, and announced new federal grant money to help fight the blaze. The emergency declaration allows the government to waive certain regulations, letting people impacted by the fire to gain quicker access to unemployment benefits, for example, or obtain records they lost such as marriage and birth certifies. It also waives certain regulations on hospitals and child care facilities.

The state has also obtained a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA, Newsom said. The grant allows local agencies to apply for reimbursement of up to 75% of their firefighting costs.

Officials say the blaze was generating its own weather conditions, as pyrocumulus - also known as fire clouds - formed overhead. The National Weather Service says some 3,700 lightning strikes were recorded in the clouds - and more than 270 lightning strikes on the ground which had the potential to ignite new blazes.

Thunderstorms were creating down drafts which were pushing the blaze in unpredictable directions, according to Chris Prater with San Bernardino County Fire.

"Firefighters are fighting a very tough battle," Prater said. "They're fighting in 100-plus degree temperatures. Very steep terrain. And some new weather conditions today with thunderstorms that came in."

Authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings Saturday.

Multiple road closures are also in place.

The Line Fire is burning in the forest area above Boulder and Highland avenues. Approximately 7,122 acres have burned as of Saturday evening and containment was at 0%, Cal Fire officials said.

Evacuation orders

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including north of Greensport Road.

• All undeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue.

• Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18

Evacuation warnings

• Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18

• Neighborhoods east of Church St, north of Highland Ave.

• Neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.

Road closures

Highway 330 is closed in both directions between Base Line Street Interstate 210 in Highland and Highway 18 in Running Springs. Road closures are in place for Base Line Street from Fairwood to Brockwood for fire operations. Aurantia Park, off Greenspot Road, is also closed to the public.

An evacuation shelter for those affected has been set up at Immanuel Baptist Church located at 28355 Base Line Street.

Animals can be taken to Devore Animal Shelter located at 19777 Shelter Way.

The blaze broke out Thursday around 6 p.m. Fire officials say that while the fire is burning away from homes, residents in the evacuation warning zone should be prepared to move immediately if the fire shifts direction.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District also warned that air quality in the immediate area would be healthy. Residents were cautioned to stay indoors or wear masks.

Firefighters are aggressively working on the ground and in the air to keep the fire away from any structures. At this time, no homes have been damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.