Additional Coverage:
- California calls up National Guard, orders evacuations as Line Fire expands to more than 20K acres (newsbreak.com)
**The Line Fire in San Bernardino County, California, Only 5% Contained as of Monday**
*Sept. 9 (UPI) — The wildfire, which erupted four days ago, has expanded to nearly 26,000 acres, prompting mass evacuations.*
Late Monday, the Line Fire raging in California’s San Bernardino County achieved only 5% containment after spreading to almost 26,000 acres and necessitating the evacuation of thousands since it began four days prior.
On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom mobilized the California National Guard to bolster firefighting efforts.
The mobilization entailed deploying 80 soldiers as hand crews, four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and two C-130 cargo planes for water and fire retardant drops. Additionally, a military police company from Cal Guard will assist local law enforcement in managing evacuated zones.
“As the Line Fire continues to threaten San Bernardino communities, we’re aggressively increasing air and ground support through the California National Guard,” Governor Newsom stated. “California stands with these communities and has their backs.”
Governor Newsom had declared a state of emergency on Saturday when the fire scorched 7,000 acres. This declaration enabled the state to receive a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to ensure the availability of essential resources to combat the fire.
By Sunday, the fire expanded to 17,000 acres and remained 0% contained. As of late Monday, it had grown even further to 25,813 acres burned.
The fire initially ignited in Highland around 6 p.m. local time on Thursday.
The rapid spread of the wildfire resulted in a significant increase in firefighting personnel from 628 to 1,890, supported by 191 engines, seven water tenders, 15 helicopters, and 36 bulldozers, according to Cal Fire, the state’s forestry and fire protection agency.
Cal Fire reported that 38,002 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial establishments, and minor buildings, are threatened. Out of these, 8,800 are under evacuation orders, and 29,200 face evacuation warnings.
So far, no structures have been reported damaged.
Three firefighters have sustained injuries, but no civilian casualties have been reported.
Firefighters are contending with extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 106 degrees on Monday.
“The high temperatures significantly impact our crews. With such intense heat, their work-rest cycles need to be closely monitored,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua told CBS News Los Angeles.
Moreover, over 1,100 lightning strikes have been recorded in the area.
“Vegetation remains critically dry,” Cal Fire mentioned in an update. “Hot and dry weather will persist Monday with an Excessive Heat Warning for the lower elevations of the fire.”
There is also a possibility of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms from late morning through early evening.
“Triple-digit temperatures are expected again today, so it’s crucial to get as much work done at night when it’s cooler,” emphasized Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua. “We had water-dropping helicopters working last night, so hopefully, containment levels will improve.”
By early Monday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued evacuation orders for more than 6,000 people. Thousands more in mountain areas received evacuation warnings, with authorities advising residents requiring extra time to evacuate, including those with pets and livestock, to leave their homes immediately.