Smoke from the Line Fire returned to the Morongo Basin over the weekend as the fire surged and a new evacuation order was issued for a mountain community.
Hotter weather has made fighting the fire more difficult for state, county, and local fire crews. Though containment of the fire is currently at 83%, the size of the fire has grown 3,000 acres over the last several days, and is currently burning across 42,837 acres.
County officials say the fire surged again over the weekend, leading to new evacuation orders for the mountain community of Seven Oaks, near Sugarloaf. Though the Morongo Basin is not in any immediate danger, smoke from the fire again descended down the mountain ridge and into our area, darkening skies and worsening our air quality. Morongo Unified Schools were closed for two days on account of smoke from the Line Fire.
The Line Fire has been burning across the San Bernardino Mountains since September 5.
Justin Halstenberg, a 34 year-old resident of Norco, is suspected to have started the fire intentionally, and is being charged with 14 felonies related to arson. Halstenberg is expected in San Bernardino County Court today (September 30) for a preliminary hearing.
