Winds and steep terrain were making it difficult for crews on the Line fire burning in the San Bernardino National Forest to get control of the blaze on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Containment, however, was up to 14% from 5% the day before.
But the fire continued to spread, jumping to 34,659 acres burned — an increase of about 8,000 acres from the previous day.
MAP: This is where the Line fire is burning
“Near-vertical slopes make putting in control lines challenging,” fire officials said.
Here’s what we know:
- Acres burned: 34,659
- Containment: 14%
- Homes evacuated: 65,000 residences
- Cause of fire: Arson suspected
- When it started: Thursday, Sept. 5
Late Tuesday, Sept. 10, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of a 34-year-old Norco resident. He was taken into custody on suspicion of arson of an inhabited dwelling, arson of forest land and possession of flammable material. He was being held in lieu of $80,000 bail at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.
The suspect had no documented criminal record in San Bernardino County. He has a warrant out for his arrest in Riverside County after failing to show for a July 8 court date. He had been cited in April on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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On Tuesday, the fire burned the Keller Peak lookout tower, an active location east of Running Springs and south of Highway 18 that is popular with tourists. The tower has views of lakes Arrowhead, Gregory and Silverwood. Gus Behana, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said there are campgrounds nearby.
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The fire also burned radio towers at Keller Peak that were being used to communicate during the Line fire. It was not immediately clear how the damage was affecting the firefight.
Power lines could be shut off because of the winds in the area, officials said.
Line Fire Evacuations
There are 65,000 residences under evacuation orders or warnings from the fire that started Thursday, Sept. 5, in Highland. A warning means residents should prepare to leave.
New orders on Wednesday, Sept. 11, were for Big Bear Dam east to Wildrose Lane and the south shoreline south to Bluff Lake Basin; and Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18.
New warnings on Wednesday were for Garnett Street east to Highway 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills; and the area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North.
Orders that were in place on Tuesday.
- All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
- The area of Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane, and the south shoreline south to Bluff Lake Basin
- The areas of Running Springs east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
- The communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake
- 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
- Forest Falls
- Mountain Home Village
- Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all campgrounds and cabins in the area
- Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18 along Green Valley Road
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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