SAN BERNARDINO, California – Several homes burned Monday as a fast-moving wildfire torched a California hillside community, prompting evacuations as hundreds of firefighters tried to bring the blaze under control.
The Edgehill Fire broke out in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive in Little Mountain around 2:40 p.m., according to San Bernardino County fire officials.
Early reports said the fire, fought by more than 200 firefighters, had grown to at least 100 acres (40 hectares). By 6 p.m., county officials said the fire’s progress had been halted and the fire remained at 54 acres (22 hectares), 25 percent contained, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. said on Xformerly known as Twitter.
“At this point, the fire is under control,” the department said.
Arson investigators were still trying to determine Monday night how the fire started. One person was detained for a few hours but was released, San Bernardino police said.
Los Angeles Times reported that videos from the scene showed at least three houses consumed by fire, with residents fleeing their burning properties amid smoke-filled skies. A video circulating on social media showed a man running up a hill while cradling a large turkey, with flames blazing behind him.
With San Bernardino temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) on Monday, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the area until 11 p.m. Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit ( 43 degrees Celsius).
Evacuation orders were issued for all residents south of Ridge Line Drive and north of Edgehill Road, west of and including Beverly Drive, and east of Circle Road. As of 9 p.m. Monday, officials said evacuation orders would remain in effect.
San Bernardino is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
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