Flare-ups in the San Bernardino National Forest have prompted officials to issue new evacuation orders as firefighters continue battling the Line Fire, which has been burning for nearly a month.
Containment of the wildfire in the San Bernardino County mountains dropped to 76 percent early this week. The fire, an arson-related blaze that started in early September during a stretch of above-normal temperatures, was a 43,400 acres.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department ordered the community of Seven Oaks on Monday to vacate the area immediately. The move comes after flare-ups began burning about a day prior.
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Fire crews said the flare-ups occurred in an open area that has yet to be contained. That area was described as steep and rugged, a space that firefighters expected to burn because of dry conditions, hot temperatures and winds that helped spread the flames.
"The Line Fire made a run up the Santa Ana River drainage (Monday)," Cal Fire said in a statement. "The last few days of above normal temperatures have dried out both the vegetation and moisture from the air. Firefighters had expected some movement along the open line in this area however, fire behavior exceeded expectations. The dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind aligned yesterday to create conditions for the rapid fire spread yesterday."
In addition to Seven Oaks, Barton Flats and Angelus Oaks residents were also ordered to evacuate.
Evacuation shelters
- Apple Valley Conference Center -- 14975 Dale Evans Pkwy., Apple Valley
- Redlands East Valley High School -- 31000 Colton Ave., Redlands
“Seven Oaks is at the bottom of the drainage,” said Bob Poole, a fire spokesperson for California Team 11. “It’s mostly cabins for vacations. We have structure protection groups there in place in case it gets to that community.”
The Line Fire has been burning for almost a month after it sparked Sept. 5. It has since exploded to more than 43,000 acres and is 80% contained.
Authorities determined the blaze was the result of an arson and arrested 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco on suspicion of starting the fire. He pleaded not guilty to arson-related crimes in the case.
