The surge in the Line Fire worsened Monday as evacuation orders mounted and firefighters lost ground in containing the San Bernardino County wildfire.
The newly charred acres also pushed California to a grim milestone: 1 million acres burned in 2024.
The Line Fire, which has been burning in San Bernardino County for nearly a month, began spreading more quickly over the weekend due to unusually warm temperatures that sucked moisture out of vegetation and air, according to Cal Fire. Fire containment increased from 83% to 78% Monday evening.
“Firefighters expected some movement” from the fire, but its behavior “exceeded expectations,” Cal Fire said in a Monday update.
The Red Cross opened a new evacuation shelter at the Apple Valley Conference Center on Monday to support those affected by the Line Fire, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The center is located at 14975 Dale Evans Parkway. The evacuation shelter at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave., remained open.
The Line Fire has now burned a total of 43,459 acres – which along with previous fires, including ongoing bridge and airport fires – has pushed the total number of acres burned in California this year to 1 000 181 Monday evening, according to Cal Fire.
That far exceeds the total number of acres burned during the same period last year — 293,362 — but is roughly comparable to the five-year average for the period.
The devastating Park Fire in Northern California contributed significantly to this milestone, burning nearly 430,000 acres between July 24 and September 26, when it was completely contained. It is the fourth largest fire in California history, according to Cal Fire.
So far this fire season, a total of 1,433 structures have been destroyed and one death has been reported, the agency said.
The Line Fire damaged or destroyed five structures and injured four firefighters. The alleged arson began on September 5 and an arrest was made.
On Sunday, residents of Seven Oaks and the Barton Flats area were ordered to evacuate due to the immediate threat of fire. On Monday, that order was expanded to include Angelus Oaks and the Big Bear Lake community, including Moonridge, Sugarloaf and south Erwin Lake.
