Line Fire grows to more than 25,000 acres, stronger winds forecast for Tuesday

This story is no longer being updated. You can read the latest at: Strong winds may prove challenge for firefighters on Line Fire in San Bernardino mountains

As of Monday evening, the Line Fire in San Bernardino County has grown to 25,813 acres and is threatening mountain communities near Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear.

Multiple evacuation orders are in place for nearby residents. Authorities warn that more than 38,000 structures, including homes and businesses, are still threatened. Some, 8,800 structures are in places under mandatory evacuation orders and another 29,200 structures are under warnings, according to a Monday evening update.

The fire broke out last Thursday and has been a challenge for firefighters because off a mixture of high temperatures, steep terrain and dense brush. It has also created its own weather, generating erratic winds that cast embers far and wide.

The concern going into Tuesday: stronger winds, which could increase spotting, which happens when embers ignite more spot fires.

Fire officials say "the fire could remain active overnight as vegetation remains critically dry."

Cooler weather is on the way, and temperatures should drop back down to around normal later in the week.

On Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County to secure federal assistance for firefighting efforts.

Fire creates its own weather conditions

Terrifyingly awesome pyrocumulonimbus clouds formed on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, generating erratic winds and lightning strikes which threaten new fire starts. There's a good chance they'll show up again on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.

To form, the clouds need both a source of lift and a source of moisture. When the fire burns extremely hot, that hot air rises high into the atmosphere, carrying with it a whole lot of water released by live plants, primed to burn after months of extreme temperatures throughout Southern California.

The towering pyrocumulonimbus clouds can climb to 40,000 feet in the air.

A wildfire smoke advisory has been extended until Monday night as the smoky air will continue to impact San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties. We have a guide on how to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke.

The basics

• Acreage: 25,813 acres as of 10:30 p.m. Monday
• Containment: 5%
• Cause: Under investigation
• Structures destroyed: None reported (38,002 structures are considered threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures.)
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: 3
• Personnel assigned: 1,890

Evacuation map and orders

Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North
• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18 
• The communities of Running Springs, Arrow Bear Lake, Mountain Home Village, Forrest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all nearby campgrounds.
• The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330
• Garnett Street east to 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills 

Evacuation warnings

Authorities say those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.

• From Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills
• Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road
• Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18
• The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment
• Big Bear Valley from the dam to Cactus Road

Evacuation shelters

For people:

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Building 6 at 14800 7th Street, Victorville
• Jesse Turner Health and Fitness Community Center at 15556 Summit Avenue, Fontana

For animals: Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino

• (909) 386-9820
• (800) 472-5609 (after hours)

Road closures

• Highway 18 is currently closed from Kuffel Canyon to the Big Bear Dam. If you are in Running Springs, you are able to get out but you will not be allowed back in.
• Highway 330 remains closed from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs
• Highway 18 is closed going northbound (inbound) from Kuffel Canyon to Running Springs. Only southbound (outbound) traffic is allowed.
• Highway 18 is closed from Running Springs to Highway 38 (Big Bear Dam).
• Highway 330 is closed from Highland Ave to Highway 18 in Running Springs.
• Garnet Street closed at SR-38 in Mentone, California.
• SR-38 eastbound is shut down at Bryant St. An additional closure will be set up at Angelus Oaks. Residents of Angelus Oaks will be evacuated up bound towards Big Bear.

What we know so far

The Line Fire broke out Thursday evening in the city of Highland at Baseline Road on the edge of open space and a residential neighborhood. The cause is under investigation.

Location and size of Line fire as of Wednesday afternoon. Evacuation orders (red) and warnings (gold).

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Courtesy CalFire

)

Resources to prep and cope with wildfire

• Listen to The Big Burn, our podcast that will get you motivated to get ready
• Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
• Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
• Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
• How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
• This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
• What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
• What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
• If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer

Editors Fiona Ng and Megan Garvey, and reporter Erin Stone contributed to this report.