Line Fire: New evacuations ordered as blaze flares up

Firefighters try to regain Line Fire containment

After a flare up, more residents were under mandatory evacuation orders.

HIGHLAND, Calif. - Fire crews in the San Bernardino Forest continue to fight intense flare-ups from the Line Fire, which initially broke out near Highland in San Bernardino County in early September.

Weeks later, authorities issued new evacuation orders and warnings as hotter temperatures fueled flare-ups in the fire area.

At last check, the fire was 80% contained.

The flare-up began late last week and fire officials said the fire was burning in the Bear Creek area south of the Snow Valley Resort and that smoke can be seen throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert.

'Line Fire' arson suspect to enter plea

Evidence so far indicates "significant arson behavior" by Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who could be tied to other fires, the San Bernardino County sheriff said.

"Everybody had a sense of you know, the big fire happened, it’s done," said Christian Jendrock, a resident in Seven Oaks. "Last night [the fire] came over here. The flames were up so high."

"Ninety-five percent of town is gone right now," said Jendrock. "[I’ve] got to stand [my] ground. There’s a lot of property at risk."

Firefighters could be seen battling flames on Tuesday afternoon right next to Highway 38 between Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks.

"Now that the fire is up to the road, firefighters can take the fight to the fire and actually get some more containment on it," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua.

The massive wildfire ignited almost a month ago near Highland.

Justin Halstenberg, 34, was arrested by sheriff's deputies on Tuesday after he was identified as the man who sparked the fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland back on September 5.

"When you do something like this, you’re doing an assault on Mother Earth," said Jendrock.

Authorities said Halstenberg's truck was identified by license plate readers as being in proximity to the areas where the fires started, which was crucial in establishing a timeline and pinpointing the start of the wildfires.

The motive remains under investigation.

The blaze is blamed for injuring 4 firefighters, destroying 1 building, while damaging 4 others.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has since proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County to secure federal assistance to support the fire response.

3 massive fires continue to burn across SoCal

The Bridge Fire, Line Fire and Airport Fire have burned more than 100,000 acres in Southern California.

Evacuation Orders

San Bernardino issued Forest Order NO. 05-12-00-24-09, creating a Forest Closure Area around the Line Fire. All National Forest lands, trails, and roads are closed to the public within that zone including San Gorgonio Wilderness.
Seven Oaks (ANG02)

To view an up-to-date evacuation zone map, tap or click here.

Evacuation Warnings

Angelus Oaks (ANG01)

SUGGESTED:

Evacuation Shelter

Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave., Redlands, CA
Apple Valley Conference Center - 14975 Dale Evans Pkwy., Apple Valley, CA

Road Closures

SR-330 closed both directions from Highland Ave to Live Oak. Fire crews still active in the area. Caltrans crews started assessing damages. There is no ETA for reopening State Route 330 at this time.
Highway 38 is closed north of Angelus Oaks at the intersection of the Middle Control Road and 38 on the south end and closed at the north end by the Lake Williams community at Lakewood Drive and 38.
Highway 18 is open for evacuees out of Big Bear on both sides (Running Springs & Lucerne)

FOX Weather contributed to this report.