3,800-acre blaze burns north of Redlands; Evacuations ordered

UPDATE 11:20 am Sept. 7: The San Bernardino County Sheriff has issued an evacuation order for areas of Highland as Line Fire grows to 3,832 acres with zero percent containment Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire incident update report.

Evacuation orders include areas from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North.

Evacuation warnings remain in place for neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue and neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.

Those under evacuation orders can seek shelter at Immanuel Baptist Church at 28355 Baseline Street in Highland.

The fire was initially reported in the area of Baseline and Aplin Streets on Thursday, Sept. 5, around 6:30 pm. The Cal Fire San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono unit has been assisted by Highland, Redlands, and San Bernardino National Forest.

CAL FIRE Incident Management Team (IMT) 3 was activated to manage the Line Fire Friday evening, bringing additional firefighters and equipment to battle the flames. This is the 15th activation of IMT 3 in 2024, Cal Fire Chief posted on X.

Redlands Brush Engine 262 engaged in a direct fire attack Friday night. Medic Engine 263 and Battalion 706 provided structure protection for East Highland, according to a post by the Redlands Fire Department.

Redlands Fire Department said it had increased staffing throughout the weekend to continue to serve Redlands during the extreme heat wave.

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So far, no structures have been damaged, and no injuries have been reported.

Update 5:34: The Line fire continues to burn 1,180-acres and is zero percent contained.

Update 4:24: The Line fire is 750 acres, according to the latest update from Cal Fire Friday afternoon.

Update 1:46 p.m.: The Line fire continues to burn up to 1,180 acres in Highland. Evacuation warnings in Highland include neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue, and neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge, according to Cal Fire.

Update 10:59 a.m: The Line fire has grown to 750 acres. No structures have been damaged or injuries reported. The fire remains zero percent contained. Earlier evacuation warnings remain in place.

Update 6:37 a.m.: The wildfire is now 505 acres and zero percent contained. Cal Fire announced an evacuation warning on X (formerly Twitter) in Highland including the neighborhoods east of Church St, north of Highland Ave. The neighborhood east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.

Update 9:45 p.m.: Baseline Street at Weaver Street is now closed, according to Highland Police. Officials are asking the public to stay out of the area and not to walk around the neighborhoods to look at the fire stating that "pedestrian traffic is impeding the firefighters."

HIGHLAND, Calif. – Cal Fire responded to a 172-acre fire that is burning north of Redlands on Thursday night.

The Line fire started around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Baseline Street and Aplin Street in Highland, according to CalFire San Bernardino.

Burning just north of Redlands Airport, multiple airplanes could be seen dropping water and pink fire retardant to slow the blaze.

So far, no structures have been damaged, and no injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Updates will be made to this post.