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Today at 1:00 pm there will be a Public Meeting at the Big Bear Performing Arts Center. The agenda includes Line Fire updates, burned area emergency stabilization efforts, and updates from Cal Trans. The address is 39707 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA. It will also be live streamed on the San Bernardino National Forest Facebook page.

Working through above normal temperatures and occasional wind gusts up to 20 mph, fire crews continued to keep the Line Fire within its current footprint, except for a small, 5-acre growth which was quickly attacked and lined by crews. Pockets of vegetation within the perimeter of the fire generated some fire activity and smoke but did not threaten existing lines as crews and aircraft worked to minimize fire activity. Even with growing confidence in the existing lines, crews and dozers worked on building and strengthening contingency lines to the east of the fire.

Yesterday, firefighters made great progress on the Line Fire overcoming high heat and steep terrain to keep the fire in its current footprint. Night flying helicopters are being utilized to extinguish heat both along the fire perimeter as well as extinguishing burning fuels in the interior. Today, crews will continue to monitor and patrol along the Highway 330 corridor on the western flank of the fire. Fire crews have been inserted to go direct along the fire’s edge with the assistance of water dropping helicopters along Siberia Creek.

Yesterday, there was a high heat advisory over the fire area which will remain in effect today.  The most active fire behavior continues to be along the Santa Ana River drainage with fire moving up the drainage to Sand Creek on the north and also near the community of Pinezanita. Smoke may be visible to the community of Running springs from islands of fuel burning within the fire perimeter with no threat to the containment line. 

Yesterday, fire behavior moderated on the Line Fire.  The most active area was the Santa Ana River drainage with fire moving up the drainage to Sand Creek on the north and also near the community of Pinezanita.  The fire burned to the community of Pinezanita but all residential structures were saved with quick action by firefighters. Six night-flying helicopters were dropping water in the Angelus Oaks area.

The Line Fire made a run up the Santa Ana river drainage today. The last few days of above normal temperatures have dried out both the vegetation and moisture from the air. Firefighters had expected some movement along the open line in this area however, fire behavior exceeded expectations. The dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind aligned yesterday to create conditions for the rapid fire spread yesterday.

The Line Fire burned actively in the Santa Ana river drainage and produced most of the smoke yesterday.  Firefighters are directing the fire down to the Santa Ana river.  Burning material is rolling downhill to the drainage and burning back upslope to the black area.  Crews and aircraft are focused on this area.

The Line Fire burned actively in the Bear Creek drainage and produced a lot of smoke over the day.  The containment line on the ridge was strengthened with multiple aircraft dropping retardant and water.  Several VLATS and at least 10 helicopters were working in this area.  Since the flight path crossed Highway 18 to the east of Snow Valley, the highway was temporarily closed for the aircraft to work on the fire for about an hour.

Line Fire Fact Sheet27 September 2024Fire StatusAcres:  39,299     Containment:  83% Firefighting ResourcesEngines:  50Crews:  23Water Tenders:  12Dozers:  23Helicopters:  5Other:  37Total Personnel:  1,131

The Line Fire experienced minimal fire activity in the early morning hours Thursday. There is a slight chance of showers over the fire area today, and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday. Friday could also bring gusty outflow winds if thunderstorms develop. Warm weather over the weekend is expected to bring down the vegetation moisture levels which could lead to increased fire activity. Firefighters are strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots.