Redlands faces hazardous air quality as Line Fire burns 21,200 acres

REDLANDS, Calif. – Air quality alter is in place for Redlands due to wildfire smoke and ozone air pollution from extreme heat.

The Line Fire that started in Highland on Thursday, Sept. 5, has burned more than 21,203 acres, affecting air quality over much of Southern California.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory, with conditions reaching Very Unhealthy and even Hazardous in some areas.

As of Monday morning, the Line Fire is 3% contained and threatens more than 36,000 structures.

Closures impacted by air quality and evacuations

The Redlands Unified School District has closed all schools and facilities for students and staff on Monday, Sept. 9, citing the ongoing fire situation and evacuation warnings in East Highland.

The school district will notify families and staff by 4 p.m. on Monday if the closure will be extended. Updates regarding the rest of the week will be shared as more information becomes available.

The City of Redlands has canceled all organized outdoor recreation activities, including pickleball and all recreation field permits, through Tuesday due to unhealthy air quality and extreme heat.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff issued evacuation orders for the following areas:

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North
• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
• The communities of Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake
• The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330
• Garnett Street east to 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills
• Forest Falls
• Mountain Home Village
• Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all campgrounds and cabins in the area

Evacuation warnings are in place:

• From Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills
• Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road
• Green Valley Lake north of Highway 18
• The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment

Evacuation Shelters are available at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, (Building 6, 14800 7th Street, Victorville) and Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center (15556 Summit Ave Fontana)

An animal evacuation shelter is open at the Devore Animal Shelter (Large and Small Animals), 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407 (909) 386-9820(800) 472-5609 (after hours)

Redlands Fire Department responds to Line Fire

The Redlands Fire Department has committed resources to the fire suppression effort, including one Type 1 Engine for structure defense and one Type 3 brush Engine for direct fire suppression.

Redlands Fire also provided one Type 3 Brush Engine to Prado Camp in Chino to be available for rapid response for other fires in the region and staffed one additional Type 3 Brush Engine in the Redlands to ensure the city remains protected.

The response totals 13 additional firefighters each day over the department’s regular staffing of 18, said city spokesperson Carl Baker in a media release.

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City cooling centers

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health advises residents to stay cool and hydrated during this period of extreme heat. They recommend staying in air-conditioned buildings, limiting outdoor activity, and drinking more water than usual.

To help residents cope with the extreme heat, the City of Redlands has opened cooling centers at the Joslyn Senior Center, Eddie and Gloria Flores Senior Center, and the Joe R. Gonzalez Community Center.

Joslyn Senior Center
21 Grant Street
Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Eddie and Gloria Flores Senior Center
111 W. Lugonia Avenue,
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Joe R. Gonzalez Community Center
111 W. Lugonia Avenue
Monday from 2-9 p.m.
Tuesday from 1-9 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday from 2-9 p.m.
Friday 2-7 p.m.
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cause of the Line Fire remains under investigation. Residents can find up-to-date information about the Line Fire at Fire.Ca.Gov.