Line Fire flare up prompts new evacuation orders in San Bernardino County

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Line Fire: Evacuations issued for Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks communities
Weeks after the Line Fire first broke out, new evacuations have been issued for the communities of Seven Oaks and Angelus Oaks.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- New evacuation orders have been issued after the Line Fire in San Bernardino County flared up over the weekend, more than three weeks after the blaze initially started.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department issued an evacuation order for the small mountain community of Seven Oaks on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, another evacuation order was issued for the nearby community of Angelus Oaks. Sheriff's officials warned those in the Boulder Bay area along Big Bear Lake to be prepared to leave.

Despite the order to evacuate, many residents in Seven Oaks say they are staying put.

"A lot of people are already retired. This is their home," said Monica Aguilar, who owns Oaks Restaurant in Angelus Oaks.

The Line Fire has burned more than 43,400 acres since it was initially reported on Sept. 5. One structure has been destroyed and four others damaged, according to Cal Fire. As of Monday evening, containment of the fire was at 78%.

Active flames could be seen near the Santa Ana River drainage. It was actively burning in the Bear and Siberia Creek drainages, producing a lot of smoke. Smoky conditions are expected in the Big Bear Valley over the next few days.

One of the big problems right now is the unpredictable wind. As far as the footprint of the fire, the biggest overnight growth was seen to the north and to the east - two places where they still don't have containment.

Highway 330 remains closed in both directions from Highland Ave to Live Oak as fire crews are still active in the area. State Route 38 is also closed between Big Bear and Angelus Oaks until further notice.

Highway 18 is open for evacuees out of Big Bear on both sides.

According to Cal Fire, the cause of the fire is arson. Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, is accused of deliberately igniting the Line Fire on Sept. 5 near Baseline Road in Highland. He was charged with 11 arson-related crimes, according to court records.

The Line Fire is one of three massive wildfires in Southern California.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.