Rapidly spreading wildfire in San Bernardino destroys homes and prompts evacuations
SAN BERNARDINO, California — A number of residences were engulfed in flames on Monday as a rapidly spreading wildfire scorched a California hillside neighborhood, prompting evacuations while hundreds of firefighters worked to contain the inferno.
The Edgehill fire broke out in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive on Little Mountain around 2:40 p.m., as per statements from San Bernardino County fire authorities.
Initial reports indicated that the fire, battled by over 200 firefighters, expanded to a minimum of 100 acres (40 hectares). By approximately 6 p.m., county officials announced that the advancement of the fire had been halted, and that the blaze was being contained at 54 acres (22 hectares) with 25% under control, as stated by the San Bernardino County Fire Department mentioned on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
“Currently, the fire is effectively contained,” the department stated.
Investigators specializing in arson were still working to ascertain how the fire originated on Monday evening. One individual was apprehended for a brief period but has since been released, according to San Bernardino police.
The Los Angeles Times stated that footage from the location displayed at least three residences devoured by flames, with inhabitants escaping their burning properties amidst smog-filled skies. One video circulating on social media depicted a man hastening up a slope while carrying a large turkey, flames blazing behind him.
With temperatures in San Bernardino hitting 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) on Monday, the National Weather Service released an extreme heat advisory for the region until 11 p.m. Tuesday, when temperatures are anticipated to soar to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).
Orders for evacuation were issued to all residents to the south of Ridge Line Drive and to the north of Edgehill Road, to the west and encompassing Beverly Drive, and to the east reaching Circle Road. As of 9 p.m. on Monday, officials declared that the evacuation directives would remain in effect.
San Bernardino is situated approximately 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.