Edgehill Fire burns down homes in San Bernardino neighborhood
A grass fire burned several homes in the San Bernardino neighborhood of Shandin Hills Monday afternoon.
The inferno, dubbed the Edgehill Fire, started at about 2:40 p.m. on a hillside near the 3300 block of Beverly Drive, about 1.5 miles from California State University, San Bernardino.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department, the primary agency handling the effort, said the fire was burning at a "rapid rate of spread." The heat worsened the situation, reaching as high as 109 degrees.
"It was pretty intense, the high heat and winds didn't help," County Fire Captain Jose Cruz said.
The department estimated the fire to be about 54 acres. However, Cal Fire estimated the scorched land to be about 100 acres and said it was 75% contained the following morning.
Firefighters requested more resources to extinguish the blaze, including help from the Riverside County Fire Department. Dozens of engines and water-dropping helicopters responded to the fire.
San Bernardino County Fire said at least 24 houses were in the inferno's path. Shandin Hills residents tried to save their homes by dousing the fire with a garden hose.
Firefighters stopped the forward progress of the fire after about three hours, and roughly an hour later, county fire officials estimated it was at 25% containment. They were able increase containment through the night, getting it up to 75% the next morning by taking advantage of lower overnight temperatures, officials said.
The SBCFD did not report any injuries.
At 8 a.m. Tuesday, San Bernardino County Fire said the damage was still being looked over to see how many structures were burned or destroyed.
Southern California Edison proactively shut off the power to about 198 customers because of the fire. It's unclear when power will return to the area.
The San Berardino Police Department stated that one person of interest has been detained. The department did not release any other details. However, investigators later released the person.
Weather conditions
San Bernardino County Fire stated that when crews arrived in the area, the temperature hovered close to 110 degrees, fluctuating between 107 and 109 degrees.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for most of the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino. The agency forecasted temperatures between 100 and 110 on Monday. The warning will last until at least 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The agency reminds everyone to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, athletes and those with chronic medical conditions are more prone to these illnesses.
The NWS recommended everyone stay in an air-conditioned room.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include high body temperature, vomiting, dizziness, confusion and hot, red, dry or damp skin. Officials implore residents to call 911 if these symptoms appear. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Evacuation orders
Authorities issued evacuation orders for the area of Ridge Line Drive. It applies to everyone living in the following areas:
- The south side of and south of Ridge Line Drive
- The north side and north of Edgehill Road, west to and including Beverly Drive; east to Circle Road.
SBCFD posted a map of the evacuation orders on X.
The evacuation center is at Marshall Elementary at 3288 North G. Street.
The Red Cross also set up an overnight shelter at Cajon High School, 1200 W. Hill Drive, for people affected by the fire.
The aftermath
The fire destroyed much of the Shandin Hills neighborhood, turning many homes, including Erika Hernandez's, to ashes.
"It's a nightmare, a living nightmare," she said.
Looking over the still-smoking shell of what used to be their home, a painful combination of shock, heartbreak, and panic does not come close to capturing how Hernandez and her husband are feeling tonight. The couple left this morning, never imagining just hours later that there would be no house to return to.
"I just keep thinking of all the stuff that was in the house that's not important but just it kind of runs through your head just everything you ever worked for, everything you own is gone," Hernandez said. "It's kind of surreal to process that."
Several other homes on West Vista Drive burned to the ground after the fire rapidly spread through the neighborhood.
"They wouldn't let me in because I wanted to get to my dogs, and unfortunately, my three dogs did not make it," Hernandez said. "That is the hardest part."
Flames continued to burn from the charred remains of the many homes.