San Bernardino County departments and personnel continue to provide critical support to the first responders battling two large-scale wildfires while addressing the many needs of evacuated residents and their pets and livestock.
As of this afternoon, Sept. 13, the Bridge Fire straddling San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties had consumed 52,801 acres with 3% containment and approximately 2,104 firefighting personnel assigned to the fire. The Line Fire stretching from Highland to Running Springs and northeast toward the Big Bear Valley had consumed 38,074 acres with 21% containment and approximately 3,900 firefighting personnel assigned.
The fire disasters spread rapidly, fueled by triple-digit heat and dry weather over the past week and prompted mass evacuations and swift actions from first responders, a deployment of resources from county departments to affected residents, and emergency proclamations from the Board of Supervisors and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for:
- Portions of the Big Bear Valley, and Baldy Village
- Green Valley Lake
- Angeles Oaks
- Seven Oaks
- Forest Falls
- Mountain Home Village
- Running Springs
- Arrowbear Lake
- Wrightwood
More than 100,000 residents have been evacuated, and approximately 223 of those residents are present at American Red Cross evacuation shelters at the Jessie Turner Health &Fitness Community Center in Fontana and the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.
More than 600 animals, ranging from dogs and cats to parakeets and alpacas, are being housed with their owners at the Red Cross shelters or at the county’s Devore Animal Shelter under the care of San Bernardino County Public Health – Animal Care
When the Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to ratify the local emergency proclamation for the Line Fire, Board Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe had an important message for residents of the affected areas.
“It is a tremendous effort that goes into a natural disaster,” Rowe said. “We have evacuation orders and warnings in place all over our county. There is a tremendous impact on our residents and our county employees. If it’s in your neighborhood, please help those first responders by heeding evacuation warnings and orders.”
At a Thursday, Sept. 12, emergency meeting of the board to ratify the local emergency proclamation for the Bridge Fire, County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke commended the work of first responders, whose efforts he witnessed first-hand Tuesday during a tour of the Bridge Fire impact area in Wrightwood.
“I saw an incredible amount of work from our first responders, the County Fire Department, many other agencies, and our Sheriff’s Department,” Snoke said. “They were literally pulling people from their homes, the elderly and infirmed, and carrying them to safety.”
County Fire produced a video documenting their efforts in Wrightwood and the advantages of disaster preparedness.
While CAL FIRE and the U.S Forest Service are the lead agencies for both fires, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and mutual aid partners from throughout the state have entered into a Unified Command with the lead agencies to provide support. Crews are using direct attacks where possible, digging fire lines to clear vegetation and prevent fire spread. This is especially difficult in steep terrain where there’s a risk of fire rolling downhill and igniting more fuels. Helicopters are being deployed day and night to drop water or fire retardant, holding the line while ground crews dig firebreaks.
County departments involved in the response include:
- Office of Emergency Services
- Fire Protection District
- Sheriff
- Public Health
- Public Works
- Behavioral Health
- Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian
- Office of Homeless Services
- Innovation and Technology
- County Administrative Office
- Regional Parks
- Human Resources
- Risk Management
- Fleet Management
- Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency
- Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector
The local 911 system has seen a surge in call volume since the Line Fire started, with many callers asking for non-emergency information. By using the correct emergency response numbers, we can all help ensure the safety of our community.
Residents should call 211 for non-emergency questions, such as road closure information, evacuation routes and where to find a shelter. 211 can provide accurate and up-to-date information, without tying up emergency lines. 211 is also available for anyone needing assistance and for those seeking to make donations of cash or needed goods.