Smoke Drift From Major Fires Choking Many Riverside County Residents

Updated: 8:24 p.m., Saturday

HIGHLAND, CA — A brush fire in Highland in San Bernardino County has doubled since Friday night to 7,122 acres as of Saturday at 6 p.m., Cal Fire/San Bernardino County Fire Department posted to X, formerly Twitter.

The fire has caused multiple evacuations throughout the area, and smoke advisories are in place across the region.

As of Saturday evening, zero percent of the blaze is contained, officials said.

The fire was first reported around 6:30 p.m. Thursday near Baseline and Aplin Streets.

Officials issued an evacuation warning for neighborhoods east of Church Street, north of Highland Avenue, earlier Saturday. Another evacuation order was in place for neighborhoods east of Weaver, north of Greenspot to the Iron Bridge.

The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18 were under evacuation order by 7 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff posted to X.

Highway 330 is also closed in both directions between Baseline and 210 in Highland and Highway 18 in Running Springs, the sheriff’s office said.

“Evacuation Warning means conditions could worsen and you should prepare to leave,” SBCS said. “Evacuation ORDER means conditions are immediately dangerous and you must evacuate for your safety.”

A wildlife smoke advisory has been in place for much of the region starting Saturday at 3:30 p.m. through at least 5 p.m. Sunday, South Coast AAir Quality Management District posted to X.

Smoke will cause elevated PM2.5 levels in areas near the fire, including Highland, according to the post. The advisory means the air contains smoke particulates that can reach unhealthy levels in some areas.

Approximately 500 fire and emergency personnel were assigned to the fire Saturday, officials said.

"Resources will remain actively engaged throughout the day working on containment," Cal Fire said in a Saturday update.

A heat wave blanketing Southern California is complicating conditions for firefighters and residents. An excessive heat warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. Monday for the San Bernardino and Riverside County valleys, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures on Saturday were expected to reach as high as 110 degrees.

An air quality alert is also in place for western parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties due to high ozone levels and pollution due to wildfire smoke. Ozone — smog pollution — can become trapped closer to the ground during periods of excessive heat. The high levels can pose a risk for people with certain health conditions.