SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A rapidly spreading wildfire engulfed several homes on Monday, devastating a hillside community in California and prompting urgent evacuations as hundreds of firefighters battled the inferno.
The Edgehill fire ignited in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive on Little Mountain around 2:40 p.m., as confirmed by local fire officials.
Initial reports indicated the fire expanded to over 100 acres (40 hectares) while more than 200 firefighters mobilized to fight the flames. By 6 p.m., fire officials announced that they had halted the fire’s forward movement, with the blaze stabilized at 54 acres (22 hectares) and 25% containment.
“The fire is currently under control,” stated fire officials.
Investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with one individual briefly detained before being released by local authorities.
Eyewitness accounts revealed devastating scenes, with videos showing homes engulfed in flames as residents hurried to escape the smoke-filled environment. Disturbingly, one video depicted a man fleeing up a hill, clutching a large turkey amidst the chaos.
San Bernardino experienced extreme heat, soaring to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) on Monday. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning, predicting temperatures may rise to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) by Tuesday night.
Evacuation orders were mandated for residents living south of Ridge Line Drive and north of Edgehill Road, extending from Beverly Drive to Circle Road. Authorities confirmed that these evacuation orders would remain in place as of Monday night.
For reference, San Bernardino is situated approximately 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.
