The hills above Highland burn Tuesday night from Line fire. (Photo: Dave Card, contributor)
Line Fire Update Sept. 13: Unhealthy air impacts Redlands, Line fire suspect charged with arson
One week after igniting, the Line Fire has grown to 37,743 acres and is 21% contained, according to the Cal Fire. The fire continues to threaten 65,100 structures, with 11,400 under Evacuation Orders and 54,700 under Evacuation Warnings.
San Bernardino County Evacuation map showing orders in red and warnings in yellow as of Friday, Sept. 13 at 9:00 am. Click to interact.
The fire, which authorities say was intentionally started by a 34-year-old Norco man, has displaced thousands, closed schools, and impacted local air quality.
As a result of the unhealthy air alerts due to wildfire smoke, the city of Redlands announced Wednesday that it had canceled all organized outdoor activities, including Saturday's Downtown Morning Market and Movies in the Park, through Sept. 15. You can read more about that here.
🔥 Arson charges filed: On Thursday, the San Bernardino County District Attorney announced multiple arson charges against Justin Wayne Halstenberg for allegedly igniting the devastating Line Fire. The suspect is accused of three separate attempts to ignite the fire. Read more here.
📚 Redlands Unified cancels classes for a week: Due to evacuation orders and air quality concerns, RUSD announced Tuesday that school would remain closed for the week. This news left parents scrambling and local organizations stepped up to support the community by offering childcare options and extended hours to assist families during this challenging time. Read more here.
🚁 Local support: The Redlands Airport has been a staging ground for helicopters contracted with the National Forest Service to drop water on the blaze. Here's a look at how the local airport serves as a valuable resource during an emergency. Read more here.
The Line Fire that has been burning since last Thursday, Sept. 5 has not been fully contained, including in the Mountain Home Village area. (Photo courtesy of the Samaniego family.)
Press Row: Line Fire cancels school, scuttles sports schedule
Sports writing usually produces routine statistics, but today we offer stats of a grimmer nature.
Three fires are burning in four Southern California counties. As of Tuesday night, 82,000 acres were in flames – 33,000 of them because of the Line Fire which began last Thursday. It encompasses parts of Highland, Running Springs and Big Bear, and beyond.
Ordinarily, former Redlands resident Bella Samaniego, who lives in Mountain Home Village, would go to school and play volleyball. The senior plays for the powerful Yucaipa High team. But the fire has caused her family to be evacuated and for the school district to shut down for the week, including athletic events. The same is true for the nearby Redlands and San Bernardino school districts.
Read this week's Press Row column by sports writer John Murphy here.
📌 City Council Preview: The Redlands City Council will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 17, for a closed session at 5 p.m. followed by an open session at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center in the City Council Chamber. Click the link below to read a brief overview of some of the agenda items, including consideration of the city's new branding design package and allocation of a $331,000 block grant. Read more here.
💦 City commission opening: A volunteer position on the city of Redlands Municipal Utilities/Public Works Commission was announced this week. The deadline to apply is Sept. 24. Read more here.
17 years of hope: Redlands' Believe Walk empowers cancer survivors and families
The Believe Walk, which has raised $9.8 million to support cancer patients in the Inland Empire, will return to downtown Redlands Oct. 6, 2024
Annie Sellas and Cathy Stockton are proud to be cancer survivors.
Each woman fought breast cancer in different ways. Sellas was diagnosed in 2000 and underwent surgery and 12 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, ending in 2003. Her treatment was at the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica.
Cathy Stockton was diagnosed in June 2006 and underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at City of Hope in Duarte, finishing her treatment in May 2007.
Sellas and Stockton, along with their friend Nancy Varner, who passed away from the disease in 2014, decided they needed to start a fundraiser to support cancer survivors, ensuring they could remain in the Inland Empire for treatment and resources.
Believe Walk co-founders Cathy Stockton, Annie Sellas and Nancy Varner. (Photo: Courtesy)
They met Stater Bros. CEO Jack Brown in 2007, and the four of them created the Believe Walk. The money stays in the community, so cancer patients don’t have to travel far for their treatments.
The 2024 Believe Walk, presented by Stater Bros. Charities, will be held in Downtown Redlands on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Read more about their story and how to participate in the upcoming Believe Walk here.
🍊 Asistencia plans community events: The Redlands Conservancy has scheduled three community events at the historic Asistencia site in September. The events will take place on Sept. 14, 17, and 22 at the Conservancy's headquarters at 26930 Barton Road in Redlands. Read more here.
📌 Sept. 16Redlands Forum: The Parable of the Sower, a discussion of a community-wide book reading led by Dr. Heather King, professor of English at the University of Redlands, and sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Read more here.
📌 Sept. 18 - Living Closer, Moving Smarter: A Blueprint for a More Sustainable Future: ANCA's fall Resilient Living Series with guest speakers Denise Davis, Redlands City Councilmember and Bobby Garrity, Lead of Redlands YIMBY. Read more here.
📌 Sept. 20 - Job Fair: Redlands job fair offers free professional photos. Read more here.
📌 Sept. 21 - Movies in the Park: Join the Redlands Recreation Division to enjoy The Marvels at Brookside Park. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to get a seat and enjoy pre-movie activities, delicious vendors, and themed entertainment. Read more here.
📌 Sept. 25 - City Council Candidate Forum: Climate Impacts Facing Our City: Candidates will be asked questions focused on the environment, including how they can make Redlands a livable, healthy, sustainable community. Read more here.
Explore these and more events in Redlands by clicking on the event list below:
Child Passenger Safety Week is this month and Redlands Police Department is urging parents and caregivers to double-check that their children are using the correct car seats and booster seats.
Why it matters: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of car seats are misused. Properly installed car seats can reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.
Details: The annual campaign, running from Sept. 15-21, aims to raise awareness about the importance of proper car seat installation and use.
Read more about California car seat laws and how to check if your child is ready to ride without a booster seat here.
A third-generation San Francisco native. His first job was in Watsonville, where he wrote stories on a typewriter and people smoked in the office. He's covered Redlands, San Bernardino and Riverside.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
