San Bernardino Fire Destroys Homes and Forces Evacuations in California

Overview

A severe brush fire in San Bernardino continues to cause havoc, destroying homes and forcing evacuations this Monday afternoon. The fire was quick in its advance, illustrating the additional danger posed to the densely populated regions of the state during this particularly intense fire season.

The Spread of the Fire

The fire, centered in the city of San Bernardino, located approximately 60 miles to the east of downtown Los Angeles, expanded to cover 100 acres and engulf multiple buildings. Local residents in the Shandin Hills neighborhood had their homes evacuated, with the evacuation center being strategically located at a close-by elementary school. Firefighters initially reported a rapidly spreading grass fire in the northern part of the neighborhood.

The combined effects of significantly dry weather conditions and soaring temperatures, reaching nearly 110 degrees, resulted in the unusually fast spread of the fire. Several homes, characterized by their tile roofs, were consumed by the onslaught of the fire.

The Edgehill Fire

The wildfire, termed as the Edgehill Fire, is fully uncontrolled as of now. Up to 200 firefighters from a range of agencies are joining forces to contain the escalating situation. Monday’s gusty southwest winds in San Bernardino have further complicated matters, pushing the fire up the hills where numerous residences are located. These winds, combined with extraordinarily low humidity and high temperatures, have created perfect conditions for the wildfire to reach the ridge tops.

California Enthralled in a Severe Fire Season

The fire season in California has been particularly harsh this year due to the scorching summer temperatures, which dried out the lush vegetation resulting from the wet winters of the two previous years. The dry grass and brush have since provided ample fuel for the fires.

Even up north, the Park Fire, which was initially spotted near Chico almost two weeks ago, has grown to be the fourth largest wildfire in the state’s history, covering an area exceeding 403,000 acres. Expected to expand further, the fire’s progression has slowed down in the recent week.

This fire alone exceeded the total acreage consumed by all fires in California last year, according to reports. Statewide, this year has seen fires burn over 778,000 acres, compared to 2023’s total of roughly 325,000 acres. Yet, it’s worth noting that the peak fire season has not even commenced.