California Line Fire Update as Maps Show Blaze Spreading

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Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property insurance market, local and national politics. She has previously extensively covered U.S. and European politics. Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and had previously worked at the European Central Bank. She is a graduate in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy. She speaks English, Italian, and a little French and Spanish. You can get in touch with Giulia by emailing: g.carbonaro@newsweek.com.

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Southern California's Line Fire burned through 20,553 acres and was 0 percent contained on Sunday night, according to the latest update by authorities.

The fire began burning at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, east of Los Angeles, on September 5. In a matter of days, it quickly burned through thousands of acres in the region, prompting evacuation orders and road closures. Continued high temperatures throughout the day and night, together with dry conditions and strong winds, fueled the fire and contributed to its spread across the county.

On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County, securing federal assistance to support the areas hit by the blaze.

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California Line Fire Map
This map from Cal Fire, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, shows Line Fire in San Bernardino County, Southern California, on September 8. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. CAL Fire, The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/CAL Fire, The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

"I thank President Biden for his swift approval of support for the work of our firefighters and first responders battling this fire and protecting local communities," Newsom said in a statement on Saturday. "It's critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities."

Despite efforts to contain the fire, the blaze continued expanding through the weekend, as weather conditions challenged the work of fire crews. The National Weather Service wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the Line Fire was burning so hot last weekend that it created its own weather conditions, with pyrocumulus clouds forming atop the flames.

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According to authorities, about 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, and three were injured in the fire, though their conditions are unknown.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection—better known as Cal Fire—wrote on X that there were 36,328 structures threatened by the fire as of Sunday. These include single and multifamily homes, commercial buildings and minor structures.

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California Wildfire
The Line Fire slowing for the evening after a sudden late-season monsoon rainstorm temporarily halted its 4,000-foot climb up to the edge of mountain communities near Running Springs, California, on September 7. Thousands of people... David McNew/Getty Images

Thousands of people fled San Bernardino County over the weekend as the blaze moved forward. The following areas were ordered to evacuate by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department:

  • 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
  • Running Springs east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
  • Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake
  • 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 Highway 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills
  • Forest Falls
  • Mountain Home Village

The weather should cool down this week, Cal Fire wrote, potentially moderating fire activity in the region below the marine layer, while activity above the marine layer is expected to remain active. According to the department, there will still be a risk this week for spot fires to spread "well outside the control lines." The cause of the fire is still unknown and is being investigated.

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About the writer

Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property insurance market, local and national politics. She has previously extensively covered U.S. and European politics. Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and had previously worked at the European Central Bank. She is a graduate in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy. She speaks English, Italian, and a little French and Spanish. You can get in touch with Giulia by emailing: g.carbonaro@newsweek.com.

Writers Page

Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on the U.S. economy, housing market, property ... Read more