| Line Fire | |
|---|---|
| Part of the2024 California wildfires | |
 The fire on September 7, looking north from theRedlands Municipal Airport staging area | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 34°07′16″N117°09′18″W / 34.121°N 117.155°W /34.121; -117.155 |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 43,978 acres (17,797 ha; 69 sq mi; 178 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 6 |
| Structures destroyed |
|
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Arson |
| Map | |
 The area burned by the Line Fire | |
  The general location of the fire, in Southern California | |
TheLine Fire was a largewildfire that burned inSan Bernardino County, California. The fire began on September 5, 2024, at 6:33 PMPDT near the community ofHighland and spread into theSan Bernardino National Forest. The fire forced the evacuation of multiple communities. On September 10, theSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Department identified and arrested 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a resident ofNorco, on suspicion of starting the fire on September 5.[1][2] As of December 23, 2024[update], the Line Fire was reported as 100 percent contained at 43,978 acres (17,797 hectares).
The cause of the fire is believed to be arson.[3] It began during a multiple-day heatwave in Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles reached 112 °F (44 °C), the third time that temperature had been reached since 1877.[4]
The Line Fire ignited on September 5 at around 6:00 p.m. PST along Baseline Road,[5] near its intersection with Alpin Street inEast Highlands. The fire was originally named the Baseline Fire. The fire spread from that point into theSan Bernardino National Forest.[6]
TheCAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3 was activated on September 6.[7]
On September 7, the fire began to expand rapidly into theSan Bernardino Mountains, prompting evacuation orders for the communities ofRunning Springs andArrowbear Lake.[8] Governor Gavin Newsom declared aState of Emergency in San Bernardino County, authorizing the use of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from theFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).[9]
Rain helped contain the Line Fire between September 7 and September 8, 2024, with a combination of rain and smoke visible.
TheCalifornia National Guard was deployed, including four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, two C-130 aircraft, hand crews, and one military police company to assist with evacuations.[10]
On September 29, the fire saw a large flare up as it burned through theBear Creek andSanta Ana River drainages. The increase in fire activity prompted evacuation orders for the communities ofSeven Oaks andAngelus Oaks.[11]
As of December 23, 2024[update], the fire was reported as 100 percent contained at 43,978 acres (17,797 hectares).[12]
The Line Fire led to mandatory evacuation orders for over 9,200 homes.[5] Initial evacuation warnings were issued for neighborhoods in EastHighland in the early morning of September 6, 2024.[13] By September 7, 2024, evacuation orders would be placed for neighborhoods along the foothills, extending intoSan Bernardino, and for neighborhoods east of Calle Del Rio.[14]
Over the following days the mountain communities ofGreen Valley Lake,Cedar Glen,Lake Arrowhead,Crestline, Valley of Enchantment, andBig Bear Valley were placed under evacuation warnings.[15] Mandatory evacuation orders were issued forRunning Springs,Arrowbear Lake,Angelus Oaks,Seven Oaks,Forest Falls, andMountain Home Village.[16]
TheSouth Coast Air Quality Management District issued an advisory on September 6, warning of health impacts in areas affected by windblown smoke.[5] On September 9,Rim of the World Unified School District closed campuses to students.Redlands Unified School District andYucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District closed all campuses to both students and staff. These closures would be extended through the end of the week on Friday, September 13.[17]
San Bernardino Community College District closed both of their campuses September 9-13, 2024, and theUniversity of Redlands temporarily transitioned all classes online.[17]
On September 9th, theRedlands Municipal Airport was closed to non-emergency aircraft. It was later reopened on September 20.[18] On October 1, theBig Bear City Airport was closed on to non-fire-fighting aircraft due to increased fire activity. It has since reopened.
On September 7,CAL FIRE issued a warning against flying UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in or around wildfires, reporting that there had been two separate drone incursions into the Line Fire the previous day.[19]
As of October 24, there have been 4 confirmed damaged structures, 1 confirmed destroyed structures, and 6 confirmed injuries.[20]
| Date | Area burned | Personnel | Containment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5[21] | 172 acres (0.70 km2) | - | 0% | ||
| Sep 6[22] | 3,300 acres (13 km2) | - | 0% | ||
| Sep 7[23] | 7,122 acres (28.82 km2) | 628 | 0% | ||
| Sep 8[24] | 17,459 acres (70.65 km2) | 1,855 | 3% | ||
| Sep 9[25] | 23,714 acres (95.97 km2) | 1,890 | 5% | ||
| Sep 10[26] | 32,905 acres (133.16 km2) | 2,684 | 14% | ||
| Sep 11[27] | 36,481 acres (147.63 km2) | 3,158 | 18% | ||
| Sep 12[28] | 37,589 acres (152.12 km2) | 3,398 | 21% | ||
| Sep 13[29] | 38,074 acres (154.08 km2) | 3,993 | 25% | ||
| Sep 15[30] | 38,421 acres (155.48 km2) | 4,103 | 36% | ||
| Sep 21[31] | 39,232 acres (158.77 km2) | 2,956 | 57% | ||
| Sep 29[32] | 40,219 acres (162.76 km2) | 1,195 | 83% | ||
| Oct 01[33] | 43,492 acres (176.01 km2) | 1,776 | 76% | ||
| Oct 08[34] | 43,978 acres (177.97 km2) | 1,651 | 87% | ||
| Dec 23[35] | 43,978 acres (177.97 km2) | 252 | 100% |
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