Wildfire scorches over 200 acres, forces evacuations in San Bernardino County

The Needles Fire is now 50% contained on the California side where 70 acres have burned, said the San Bernardino County Fire Department Saturday night.

One structure has been destroyed.

The fire has already scorched over 200 acres as it burns on the California-Arizona state line. Crews will stay on scene overnight to continue increasing containment and mop-up.

No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Forward spread of the Needles Fire burning in eastern San Bernardino County has slowed down on the California side as firefighters on both sides of the Colorado River continue to work on perimeter control, containment and structure defense, said the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

The Sheriff's Department also confirmed on X that "mandatory evacuations have been lifted at Fenders Resort. All residents may return home."

The so-called Needles Fire burning at the California-Arizona state line has now burned 203 acres Saturday afternoon -- 60 acres on the California border and 143 acres on the Arizona border, fire officials said.

Mandatory evacuations are still in place at Fender's Resort.

Needles Highway from I-40 to Route 66 (Old Nat Trls Highway) is closed, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

A brush fire broke out in San Bernardino County near the California-Arizona state line Saturday.

Fire crews responded to the blaze burning in the city of Needles early Saturday afternoon. The fire has already burned at least 116 acres -- 57 acres in California and 59 acres in Arizona, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Mandatory evacuations are underway at Fender's Resort. Evacuees can go to the Needles Senior Center located at Bailey Avenue and Lillyhill Drive.

The fire is burning on both sides of the Colorado River. San Bernardino County Fire says structures are threatened and additional firefighters and equipment are on their way.

It's around 110 degrees in Needles.