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10-10-24   12:00 PM UPDATE: (CAL FIRE)
Line Fire, Start Date/Time    2024-09-05
Incident Status    Active
Location    Base Line Road and Aplin Street, Highland
Type    Wildfire
Cause    Arson

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Size   43,978
Containment    93%
Structures Threatened    0
Structures Destroyed    1
Structures Damaged    4
Civilian Injuries    0
Firefighter Injuries    6
Civilian Fatalities    0
Firefighter Fatalities    0

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Update 10/10/24: Yesterday, the fire experienced a wind test greater than the days prior, and all lines held well. Firefighters continued to reinforce containment lines and utilized aircraft where appropriate to address interior hotspots. In addition, crews continued to monitor, backhaul equipment, implement the suppression repair plan.

Today, crews will continue suppression repair on both the north and south of the incident. On the west side of the fire, patrol and mop up will continue. To the north, firefighters will construct direct line on the fire’s edge where possible and continue to monitor the area in Bear Creek as well as Siberia Creek to ensure it stays within the
current footprint. On the east side, crews will continue to patrol and mop up and backhaul excess equipment. In the southeastern area, firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up and monitor any hotspot within the fire perimeter. ​​

Evacuation Orders

Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following zone:

Seven Oaks (ANG02)

Evacuation Warnings

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones:

Angelus Oaks (ANG01)
Boulder Bay area of Big Bear, from the dam east to Wildrose Lane (BBC08)

Road Closures

Plan ahead on State Highways - Visit Division of Traffic Operations - Road Information - California Highway Information External Link.

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SR-330 closed both directions from Highland Ave to Live Oak. Fire crews still active in the area. Caltrans crews started assessing damages.  There is no ETA for reopening State Route 330 at this time.
Highway 18 is open for evacuees out of Big Bear on both sides (Running Springs & Lucerne)

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Engines

130

Water Tenders

22

Helicopters

6

Dozers

23

Hand Crews

60

Other

44

Total Personnel

2082

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Advisory: Norco Man Arrested for Arson after Being Identified as the Suspect in the Line Fire

DATE/TIME: September 10, 2024
INCIDENT: THE LINE FIRE ARREST
SUSPECT(S): Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34-year-old male resident of Norco
VICTIM(S): State of California

SUMMARY: Highland Station detectives, in collaboration with Cal Fire investigators, identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg as the suspect who started a fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the city of Highland, also known as the Line Fire, on September 5, 2024.

On September 10, 2024, Halstenberg was located and arrested. Halstenberg was booked at the Central Detention Center for P.C. 451 - Arson and is being held in lieu of $80,000 bail. 

 
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jake Hernandez of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department - Highland Station at (909) 425-9793. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or go to wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Jake Hernandez
Station: Highland Station
Phone No. 909-425-9793
Case No. 132403401

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

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Situation Summary

 

Fire activity on the Line Fire was moderated in the upper elevations in the overnight hours but remained active in the thermal belts. The fire made short, intense runs in the slopes and the lighter fuels which allowed for growth. Vegetation remains critically dry. Hot and dry weather will continue Monday with an Excessive Heat Warning for the lower elevations of the fire. There will be areas of smoke in the morning that could become more widespread in the afternoon. There is also a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the late morning and through the early evening. There are currently 36,328 structures that are still threatened.

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State of Emergency and Federal Assistance

• Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency in San Bernardino County, secures federal assistance to support response to Line Fire

      https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/07/governor-newsom-proclaims-state-of-emergency-in-san-bernardino-county  secures-federal-assistance-to-support-  response-to-line-fire/

 

UPDATE: Line Fire National Guard Activation

SUMMARY: At the start of the Line Fire the Sheriff was in contact with the Law Enforcement branch of the State Office of emergency services (State OES). During those conversations the Governor and OES proactively activated the National Guard and is staging them at the Ontario National Guard Armory. 

We will be using Guard service members in areas that have been evacuated for additional security in the evacuated communities. This will allow for the county and municipal law enforcement agencies to be used for active mandatory evacuations if that becomes necessary.

Guard service members will be available for deployment in the next operational period at 1900 hours today.

Unified Command: CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono Unit, City of Highland and San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, Unified Command Agency(s)

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Evacuation Shelter
San Bernardino County Fairgrounds
Building 6
14800 7th Street
Victorville, CA 92395

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Immanuel Baptist Church
28355 Base Line Street
Highland, CA 92346

Animal Evacuation Shelter

Devore Animal Shelter
19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407
(909) 386-9820
(800) 472-5609 (after hours)

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Sheriff Issues New Mandatory Evacuation Orders

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EVACUATION SHELTER
Immanuel Baptist Church 
28355 Baseline Street
Highland CA 92346
 

Devore Animal Shelter
19777 Shelter Way
San Bernardino, CA 92407

 

Evacuation Order Now in Effect​

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An Evacuation Warning means a potential threat to personal safety and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with animals should consider leaving now. An Evacuation Order means there is an immediate threat to life, and it is a lawful order to go now.

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Emergency Information and Links

In emergency situations, information is distributed quickly on social media. To stay up to date on the Line Fire, these first responder accounts on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram are recommended.

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Cal Fire - X, Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino National Forest - X, Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino County Fire - X, Facebook, Instagram

San Bernardino County Sheriff - X, Facebook, Instagram

Highland Police Department - X, Facebook, Instagram

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San Bernardino County also provides information on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as other preparation resources on the Prepare.SBCounty website.

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The Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) sends important messages and Emergency Alert Notifications from San Bernardino County Emergency Management. Sign up for TENS here or by calling (909) 356-3998.

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Watch Duty provides real-time wildfire maps and notifications about conditions as they change. Use this link for more information and to access their apps.​