(VVNG.com) — The motorcyclist critically injured in a crash on Phelan Road Thursday afternoon has died The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division identified the victim as 39-year-old Joshua Workman The crash was reported at about 1:27 p.m directly in front of El Patron Family Restaurant According to preliminary information from the California Highway Patrol Workman was riding a 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Glide westbound when he collided with a black Honda Civic that was preparing to make a left turn onto Lebec Road Workman was transported by ground ambulance to Providence St where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival suffered injuries that were reported as non-life-threatening The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol Victorville Station Anyone with information is asked to call (760) 241-1186 📢 Stay connected with the High Desert’s largest news community 🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com we’re dedicated to keeping the Victor Valley informed with essential Our newsroom works tirelessly to bring you the latest stories that matter—news that fosters awareness If you value our reporting and want to see it continue local news accessible to everyone—because an informed community is a stronger community A collision between a motorcycle and a car in Phelan on Thursday afternoon left a Piñon Hills father dead according to California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County coroner's offiials He was riding a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Phelan Road A 2014 Honda Civic was making a left turn from westbound Phelan Road onto Lebec Road the rider of the Harley-Davidson attempted to pass traffic at the intersection and collided with the left side of the Honda Civic within the intersection," the CHP said in a written statement The driver of the Honda was treated for injuries described by the CHP as non-life-threatening A statement accompanying a fundraiser set up on GoFundMe.com to help Workman's family said he was reacting to traffic when the crash occurred "He was taken from us all too soon doing one of the things he loved so much when a car pulled out in front of him," the statement said and the type of person who would drop everything to help a friend in need," according to the statement Help Josh Workman's family after tragic loss The fundraiser received more than $22,000 in community donations within 17 hours of being established More: Suspect jailed, accused of murder in Victorville hit-and-run is asked to contact the CHP's Victorville Office at (760) 241-1186 the behavior moderated significantly due to the slight increase in humidity and decrease in temperatures Firefighters were able to make great progress on the ground aided by aircraft to attack the fire aggressively 24-hours per day.Crews continued to be engaged with structure defense in the communities of Wrightwood The ability for crews to also extinguish new fire starts in the vicinity of the Bridge Fire is also a good sign and testament to their success and hard work.The north side of the fire remained the most active more favorable weather conditions aided firefighters in gaining the upper hand on holding the fire on the south side of Highway 2 Top priorities for firefighters remained in structure protection and defense of the communities nearby with dozer line construction and pre-treating containment lines with fire retardant.On the east side firefighters were able to directly engage as the fire behaved favorably backing and flanking slowly down to Mount Baldy Road Firefighters continue to hold the fire on the west side of this road and continue structure protection efforts in the communities of Mount Baldy Village including the Icehouse Canyon area.To the south firefighters were successful in reinforcing containment lines and scouted to reopen old dozer lines for contingency planning Front-country communities currently under an evacuation warning will see dozers and fire personnel working on the south flank of the fire to construct these contingency lines and protect the communities below it A five-acre spot fire near Sunset Peak was also successfully suppressed with direct attack.On the west side of the fire containment lines are holding and firefighters are engaged in mop up checking the area for hotspots and extinguishing them There is minimal growth and moderated fire behavior in this area For more information on shelters, visit:https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.htmlhttps://lacounty.gov/emergency/ https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/ Red Flag Warning highlighting imminent critical fire weather patterns was extended until 10:00a.m There will be increased stability in weather with lower temperatures and higher humidity make good progress on their suppression efforts Exposed ridges at higher elevations ill have higher wind speeds than the lower valley and canyon areas which is where active fire behavior and higher flame lengths will continue to be most visible For information on smoke impacts and an interactive map, visit fire.airnow.gov (VVNG.com) — The family of Joshua Workman the 39-year-old motorcyclist who tragically died following a crash on Phelan Road has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his wife and two children in the wake of his sudden passing Josh was critically injured in a collision Thursday afternoon in front of El Patron Family Restaurant in Phelan he was later pronounced deceased at Providence St his family is asking for the community’s support and the type of person who would drop everything to help a friend in need,” reads the GoFundMe description he was taken from us all too soon doing one of the things he loved so much riding his Harley when a car pulled out in front of him.” organized by John and Shannon Gunderson of Pinon Hills highlights the financial challenges now facing the Workman family: “We all know money can never replace a person with a heart as big as Josh’s but his family also cannot survive without it… the mortgage and McKenzie all need time to grieve and take life one day at a time.” the GoFundMe had raised over $22,000 toward a $35,000 goal Josh was well known in the community for his big heart and fierce love for his family — traits reflected in the many photos shared by loved ones on the fundraiser page Investigators sought a pickup truck and driver in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Piñon Hills over the weekend that left a 25-year-old dirt bike rider dead of Piñon Hills died following the collision according to San Bernardino County coroner's and California Highway Patrol officials He was also known to family as Tristen Horn He was riding a 2007 Yamaha YZ250F on Green Road "For unknown reasons a crash occurred involving the unknown vehicle and the 2007 Yamaha YZ250F causing the male rider to be ejected from the Yamaha and impact the asphalt roadway," according to a CHP statement Hamilton died from his injuries at the scene The driver fled in an undetermined direction Evidence left at the scene indicated the involved vehicle may have been a 1983 to 2005 Ford F-250 The victim left behind a wife, as well as a 5-year-old child and an 11-month-old child, according to a statement accompanying an online fundraiser established to aid the family "He was a loving and caring soul," according to the statement "He lived for his two beautiful kids and wife More: San Diego man fatally struck by SUV along Highway 395 in Adelanto Any witnesses, or anyone with information, was urged to contact Officer S. Garcia of the CHP's Victorville Office at (760) 241-1186. (This story has been updated to add additional information.) (VVNG.com) — A motorcyclist is in extremely critical condition following a collision with a sedan Thursday afternoon on Phelan Road directly in front of El Patron Family Restaurant in the community of Phelan The crash was reported at approximately 1:27 p.m near the intersection with Lebec Road and just west of Sheep Creek Road According to preliminary information from the California Highway Patrol both the 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Glide with Arizona plates and a black Honda Civic were traveling westbound on Phelan Road The motorcyclist attempted to pass the Civic on the left as the driver was stopped and preparing to make a left-hand turn onto Lebec Road the motorcycle collided with the driver’s side of the vehicle Emergency responders arrived to find the rider unresponsive and CPR was in progress at the scene he was not airlifted but transported by ground ambulance under Code 3 conditions — with lights and sirens — to St His condition is considered life-threatening Photos from the scene show the motorcycle heavily damaged and resting near the shoulder with a white helmet lying in roadside brush Debris from the impact was scattered across the roadway The black Honda Civic sustained major damage to the driver’s side who was the sole occupant of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening Phelan Road was closed in both directions between Malpaso Road and Blue Stake Road as officers from the CHP Victorville Station conducted their investigation and cleared the scene the roadway has fully reopened to through traffic Anyone with information is urged to contact the CHP Victorville Office at (760) 241-1186 Deputies arrested a man after he allegedly smashed windows and threw rocks at a woman during an inebriated rampage at a Piñon Hills bar over the weekend according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department of Piñon Hills was asked to leave the establishment due to intoxication "Once outside the bar, the suspect broke two windows of the bar with his fists," according to a sheriff's department statement "Hettinga threatened employees and patrons One patron was injured when she tripped running away from him as he threw rocks at her She received medical treatment for her injuries at a local hospital." who had slashed his hands while breaking the windows He was taken into custody after a brief struggle Hettinga was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries prior to booking he threatened the safety of medical staff," the sheriff's department statement said More: Victorville man found dead amid car fire on 15 Freeway Hettinga was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon according to San Bernardino County jail records Bail was set at $50,000 pending an initial court appearance (VVNG.com) — A pedestrian was struck and killed shortly after midnight in Pinon Hills.  San Bernardino County Fire responded to the intersection of Highway 138 and Oasis Road for reports of a vehicle versus a pedestrian.  Firefighters arrived on scene and confirmed the body was lying in the middle of the intersection and the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at 12:33 am.  Fire advised California Highway Patrol officers that the body was blocking lanes and requested traffic control a white pick-up truck was traveling the other direction when it noticed the body They did a U-turn and stopped near the intersection to direct traffic There were a few other cars that stopped to assist in directing traffic,” the witness commented Westbound Highway 138 was shut down at Oasis Road due to the incident.  This is a developing story; additional information will be updated as it becomes available.  The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Victorville CHP station.  Related Article: Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on Highway 138; CHP Searching for Driver A man was shot in a residential neighborhood in Piñon Hills on Thursday afternoon The shooting took place shortly before 4:30 p.m An "unwanted male" arrived at the home and was shot by someone there San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez said The wounded man was flown to a trauma center by helicopter for treatment Deputies had responded to a report of a violation of a court order at the same location shortly before 3 p.m. The dispatch log was later amended to describe the incident as an assault with a deadly weapon and then again to reflect an attempted murder Officials did not disclose whether anyone was arrested More: ‘Effective, modern policing’: San Bernardino County sheriff releases mid-term report Anyone with information can reach the Victor Valley Sheriff's Station at (760) 552-6800. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463 (This story will be updated as additional details become available.) (VVNG.com) – A hit-and-run crash on January 19 claimed the life of 25-year-old dirt bike rider Tristen Horn the Barstow Dispatch Center received reports of a crash involving Tristen on his 2007 Yamaha YZ250F on Green Road situated south of Hollister Road in Piñon Hills According to a preliminary investigation by the California Highway Patrol an unknown vehicle was also involved in the collision suffering fatal injuries as he struck the asphalt roadway Details surrounding the crash remain unclear and the driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene heading in an unknown direction Evidence collected at the scene suggests the suspect’s vehicle may be a 1983-2005 Ford prompting authorities to seek the public’s assistance in identifying both the vehicle and its driver It remains uncertain whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash shared an emotional statement urging anyone with information to come forward “My brother-in-law was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident He is survived by his wife and two young children We urge anyone with information to ensure he receives the justice he deserves,” she expressed In light of this tragedy, a GoFundMe account has been set up titled “Assist the Horn Family in Their Loss,” which can be found at this link to help cover funeral arrangements for Tristen The account describes him as a dedicated family man and a generous friend who lived for his children and wife Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the CHP Victorville office at (760) 241-1186 to assist in the investigation and bring the responsible party to justice Authorities are asking the public's help in finding a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a 21-year-old man in Piñon Hills early Tuesday The collision was first reported about 12:20 a.m according to the California Highway Patrol "The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown driver was westbound on SR-138 at an unknown speed and struck the pedestrian who was walking in the westbound lane of SR-138," the CHP said in a written statement the driver fled the scene in an unknown direction of travel." His identity was not released pending notification of family "Vehicle parts located on scene possibly returned to a 2006 (to) 2008 Toyota Prius "The hit and run vehicle should have crash damage to the right front." No description of the driver was available More: High Desert community rallies to aid family of 4-year-old girl killed in crash near Barstow Rodriguez of the CHP's Victorville Area Office at (760) 241-1186 (VVNG.com) — A 35-year-old Pinon Hills man was arrested after assaulting customers and causing damage to a bar deputies responded to a 911 call at the Big Rock Bar located at 1828 State Highway 138 in Pinon Hills was intoxicated and was asked to leave the bar the suspect broke two windows of the bar with his fists One patron was injured when she tripped running away from him as he threw rocks at her,” stated sheriff’s officials in a written statement The female received medical treatment for her injuries at a local hospital Hettinga was holding a bloody rock in his hands when deputies arrived He advanced on deputies and resisted arrest before being taken into custody Hettinga cut his hands while breaking the windows and required medical attention Troy Hettinga was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism of $400 or more He is currently being held in lieu of $50,000.00 bail The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Depuy J. Ballinger, at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, 760-552-6800. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com A 32-year-old Piñon Hills man died in a fiery crash between his car and a big rig on the 15 Freeway in Hesperia over the weekend Friday on the southbound side of the freeway according to California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County coroner's officials He was driving a 2014 Mazda 3 south in the No 1 lane of the freeway at an undetermined speed prior to the crash A big rig driving in front of the Mazda slowed for construction Blackburn allowed the Mazda to crash into the rear of the (big rig's) trailer," according to the statement Victorville dog attack: Man severely injured, possibly loses arm in attack The driver of the big rig and another witnesses tried to pull Blackburn from his burning vehicle "but were unsuccessful as the Mazda became engulfed in flames," the statement said Blackburn is survived by a wife and two small children, ages 1 and 3, according to a statement accompanying an online fundraiser to assist the family The fund garnered more than $6,000 in community donations within a day of being established The investigation was ongoing and any witnesses was asked to contact the CHP's Victorville Office at (760) 241-1186 (VVNG.com) — A 21-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver early Tuesday morning along State Route 138 and authorities are now searching for the person responsible near Oasis Road in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Victorville Area and personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to the scene and located the male pedestrian suffering from fatal injuries The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been released the pedestrian was walking westbound within the westbound lane of SR-138 when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction The driver did not stop to render aid and fled the scene before authorities arrived Debris left at the scene suggests the vehicle involved may be a silver 2006-2008 Toyota Prius with possible damage to the right front side It is unknown at this time whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash CHP officials are urging anyone who may have information about the crash or the identity of the driver to contact Officer X Rodriguez at the CHP Victorville Area office by calling (760) 241-1186 Related Article: Pedestrian Killed on Highway 138 and Oasis Road in Pinon Hills At VVNG, we’re dedicated to keeping the Victor Valley informed with essential, community-driven journalism. Our newsroom works tirelessly to bring you the latest stories that matter—news that fosters awareness, engagement, and connection in the High Desert. If you value our reporting and want to see it continue, consider becoming a monthly supporter. Your contribution helps keep independent, local news accessible to everyone—because an informed community is a stronger community. (VVNG.com) — A male pedestrian was airlifted after being struck by a vehicle on Sunday night The incident occurred on Highway 138 near Evergreen Road in the community of Piñon Hills Emergency personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to the scene where they found the man lying in the middle of the roadway A helicopter was dispatched to transport the man to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center the Reach 13 helicopter was sent to the location; however it had to abort the flight due to an unspecified issue the Mercy Air 22 helicopter was dispatched and successfully transported the pedestrian to the trauma center The landing zone for the helicopter was established at Stater Bros in the neighboring community of Phelan While two vehicles were observed pulled over on the side of the road it remains unclear whether one of them was involved in the incident The California Highway Patrol was not available for comment on Sunday night There was limited information available regarding the condition of the pedestrian or the vehicle that struck him This article will be updated as soon as more information becomes available UPDATE: Timothy Patterson recounts his experience as a witness to the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash on Highway 138 he spotted a male pedestrian lying in the middle of the road as they approached a traffic light Patterson exited the vehicle and called 911 while running toward the pedestrian A second witness provided details about the incident to Patterson identifying the fleeing vehicle as a white SUV The pedestrian was found bleeding from the head with glass on his stomach and road rash on his side and the third witness in a white Dodge Ram pickup remained at the scene until authorities arrived Patterson expressed hope that their efforts would make a difference in the victim’s survival and offered his prayers for the individual and their family during this difficult time 🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com. (VVNG.com) — The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the driver killed in a fiery crash on the 15 freeway as Mark Alan Blackburn Jr. The crash involving a 2014 Mazda 3 happened at about 11:20 pm According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) 1 lane at an undetermined speed when a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia with a 1973 P60 trailer ahead of him slowed as traffic began to slow from lane closures due to construction in the area Blackburn allowed the Mazda to crash into the rear of the Freightliner’s trailer,” stated CHP officials A Good Samaritan and the driver of the semi attempted to pull Blackburn from the burning vehicle but were unsuccessful as the Mazda became fully engulfed in flames San Bernardino County Fire arrived and extinguished the fire Blackburn was pronounced deceased at the scene Southbound traffic on the I-15 was completely stopped for approximately one hour before the no.3 lane was reopened CHP said no alcohol or drug impairment are suspected in the accident The Victorville CHP Station is investigating an anyone with information is asked to call 760-241-1186 Deadly Fiery Crash Shuts Down SB 15 Freeway in Hesperia (VVNG.com) — A head-on collision occurred early on November 29 resulting in two individuals being airlifted to a medical facility Preliminary reports indicate that a Jeep collided with another vehicle occupied by four people Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and found two individuals trapped inside one of the vehicles Mercy Air and Reach helicopters landed at the site and airlifted the critically injured patients to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center two other individuals with less severe injuries were transported to nearby hospitals via ground ambulances Witnesses reported that the driver of the Jeep fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival The California Highway Patrol’s Victorville Station is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident (VVNG.com) — Deputies with the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station arrested two men on February 28 after they allegedly threw rocks at a victim who had caught them in the act of tampering with his property the sheriff’s department responded to a 911 call in the 1900 block of Vista Road in Pinon Hills went to investigate and found two individuals—later identified as 36-year-old Servando Rangel-Mendez and 37-year-old Ramon Solis-Medina—attempting to disable his breaker box began recording the suspects with his phone Rangel-Mendez and Solis-Medina allegedly threw rocks at him were arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon They were booked into the High Desert Detention Center The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and deputies are encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward. Those with tips can contact Deputy N. Serna at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800. Anonymous tips can be submitted via We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or through the website at www.wetip.com (VVNG.com) — A man and a woman were arrested after they were found in possession of a stolen truck in Pinon Hills deputies responded to a call at a vacant property at the intersection of Buckwheat Road and Phelan Road the subjects were on the property without permission and had brought a camper and truck Deputies confirmed with the property owner that Ballard and Sizemore did not have permission to be on the property The suspects were found in possession of a stolen 1998 Chevrolet truck The truck was stolen out of Phelan in January 2024 Jeremiah Sizemore and Lori Ballard were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and booked at High Desert Detention Center They are being held in lieu of $30,000.00 bail.    The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy K. Williams or Deputy O. Cordova, at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station 760-552-6800. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com A woman was killed when an unidentified person threw a rock through her car's windshield on Highway 138 west of Piñon Hills early Tuesday The apparent attack took place about 12:10 a.m near the border of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties according to California Highway Patrol officers When officers arrived to the scene they discovered that someone had thrown a rock through the vehicle's windshield A passenger who had been riding in the vehicle told investigators the rock was thrown from an "unknown location," CHP officers stated in a press release along with Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel but no suspects were located," the statement said The identity of the woman who was killed was not available Wednesday pending notification of family by Los Angeles County coroner's officials The deadly incident showed similarities to another that took place in the same area on Sunday night when another driver reported a rock had smashed through their windshield More: Police ruled justified in 2021 shooting of armed suspect, three bystanders in Hesperia the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Major Crimes Unit and the CHP Antelope Valley Area are actively investigating these incidents and are seeking assistance from the community," according to the statement Anyone with information was urged to call the CHP at (323) 259-3200 The City of Farmington has announced that its golf courses will be closed on Mondays starting Jan This closure will continue through January or until conditions improve addressing challenges posed by unusually warm weather and prolonged dry conditions This temporary closure is a proactive measure to protect the integrity of the courses and ensure they remain in excellent condition for golfers as we approach the spring season including warm weather and a lack of precipitation over the past six weeks have left Piñon Hills and Civitan golf courses extremely dry the high volume of daily traffic has exacerbated wear and tear The courses typically open at noon on Mondays leaving a narrow window for play before darkness falls at 5 p.m This temporary closure will allow essential maintenance to preserve the quality of the turf and the overall golfing experience with minimal impact on operations “Our goal is to ensure that the courses are in the best possible condition for all our golfers now and in the future,” said Golf Course Manager Chris Jones “This short-term adjustment will help us avoid extreme turf damage going into spring while continuing to grow and improve areas throughout the course.” Mondays provide an essential window for the grounds team to irrigate the turf Cold morning temperatures make it difficult to run the irrigation system without risking damage to sprinkler heads or creating icy conditions irrigation can take place during the day without disrupting golfers The closure also gives the turf a much-needed break from foot and cart traffic during its dormant period These closures will be evaluated weekly based on weather conditions Should significant rain or snow provide sufficient moisture the courses may reopen on subsequent Mondays The City appreciates the community’s understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain the high standards of our golf courses For updates on course conditions and operations The email "' + userEmail + '" could not be added Please try again or email Shane at shane@durangoherald.com for assistance Choose from several print and digital subscription packages We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to our policies Firefighters on Monday will continue to strengthen containment lines for the Bridge Fire There are 2,785 fire personnel battling the fire from the ground and air with crews focusing on direct attacks along the fire's edge to protect Big Pines and Pinon Hills to the northwest While the fire continued backing down toward Big Pines Road crews successfully held it in check on Sunday night Wrightwood rescue: Elderly woman, pet cat rescued as Bridge Fire approached Although windy conditions hampered night flying aircraft Sunday night firefighters were successful in direct and indirect line construction with flames quickly spreading from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County The Bridge Fire moved through the area of Mt. Baldy, Wrightwood and Pinon Hills, injuring three people The Golden State Water Company worked with the State Water Resources Control Board to determine via testing that Wrightwood water is “safe to drink.“ Customers no longer need to consume bottled water Reports that customers cannot use water for bathing are inaccurate ‘Fire cloud’ seen from space: NASA captures dramatic images of Line Fire Customers should flush their taps only after the evacuation order is lifted Golden State Water Company customers were notified that water in Wrightwood was unsafe to drink or use for cooking due to fire-related contamination Schools ClosedSnowline Joint Unified School District officials on Monday stated that all schools will remain closed through Wednesday The district will provide an update on Wednesday afternoon regarding school operations for Thursday and Friday Fire officials will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 at Lytle Creek Community Center, 14082 Center Rd., San Bernardino. The meeting will be livestreamed at youtube.com/@AngelesFireInfo For more information on the Bridge Fire, visit fire.ca.gov. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com As the fast-moving Bridge Fire began destroying homes and property in the Wrightwood area San Bernardino County leaders proclaimed an emergency the San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer declared the emergency and will ask the Board of Supervisors to ratify the action at an emergency special meeting San Bernardino County leaders said they will dedicate all resources necessary to protect its communities and residents and assist in their recovery which started Sunday in the Angeles National Forest quickly crossed from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County The wind-driven vegetation fire jumped from 4,000 to 34,240 acres by Tuesday night and immediately threatened Wrightwood and the northern portion of the City of Upland homes have been lost," and that further details regarding the locations of the destroyed structures were not immediately available Personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and partner public safety agencies have been on the scene from the start employing all available resources to protect these communities and their residents County leadership and representatives from various county partner agencies are closely monitoring developments in the County Emergency Operations Center and developing response and relief strategies The county urges residents to stay connected and heed all evacuation warnings and orders If your neighborhood is under an evacuation warning pack your valuables and other needed items and prepare to leave If your neighborhood is under an evacuation order Evacuation centers in the county are located at: The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday approved financial assistance to aid Southern California in battling the Line Fire in San Bernardino County The federal funding will help state officials fight "mitigate, manage and control active wildfires in California," according to a FEMA statement Funding was also allocated to help with fires in Nevada and Oregon The decision came only hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the California National Guard was being called to assist with the massive Line Fire 5 near Baseline and Aplin streets in Highland The governor declared a state of emergency due to the fire on Sunday with 14% containment in the San Bernardino Mountains Authorities on Tuesday reported identifying and arresting 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg for allegedly starting the Line Fire in Highland Cal Fire investigators and San Bernardino County Sheriff's detectives partnered to identify Halstenberg as a suspect, sheriff's officials announced Halstenberg was located and arrested on Tuesday near Sixth Street and Sierra Avenue in Norco He was booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of arson the Bridge Fire rapidly spread from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County posing an immediate threat to the communities of Wrightwood and the northern part of the City of Upland The fire has resulted in the loss of structures in the Wrightwood community the San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer proclaimed an emergency The Board of Supervisors will be asked to ratify this action at an emergency special meeting Rumors circulated that the Mountain High Ski Resort was destroyed by the fire an update from the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council at 7:30 a.m the crew from LA County Fire Station 130 in Lancaster has been at the resort since last evening and they get credit for the incredible work done The captain from Engine 130 also told me that the building/restaurant at the top of East also survived the fire,” the Wrightwood Mountain Group stated in a Facebook post and is 1 of 3 major wildfires burning across Southern California Evacuation orders have been issued for 18 zones in Los Angeles County and 8 zones in San Bernardino County and partner public safety agencies have been actively involved in the response efforts County leadership and representatives from various partner agencies are monitoring the situation from the County Emergency Operations Center while developing response and relief strategies SR-138 is closed from Lone Pine to Beekley Road due to evacuations the Bridge Fire continued to exhibit extreme fire behavior as it increased over 13,000 acres mainly on the north and east flanks The top priority for firefighters remained in structure protection and defense within the communities of Wrightwood Numerous structures in the Wrightwood area have been impacted by the fire with damage to power infrastructure reported Once it is safe for damage assessment teams to evaluate the fire jumped Glendora Ridge Road up to Sunset Peak which was highly visible at night from the inland cities below Firefighters held the lines they had west of Mount Baldy Road and they continued to prioritize securing contingency lines to the south firefighters were able to get in and engage in the structure defense they needed to As the fire continues to head into receptive fuels with little to no fire history it could get established into drainages and have slope alignment leading to the potential for large energy release that could create plume-driven fire behavior and column collapses which may send spot fires out ahead of the fire’s direction There have been no changes in evacuations since last night Residents are urged to stay informed and adhere to all evacuation warnings and orders Those under an evacuation warning should pack their valuables and necessary items in preparation to leave residents should leave immediately and follow official instructions Red Cross Evacuation Centers are located at: Both the Bridge and Line fires burning through Southern California forests showed minimal overnight growth for a second day in a row crews continued working to assess the number of structures damaged or destroyed by the wildfires which have consumed more than 90,000 acres The Line Fire burning in the San Bernardino County stood at 38,201 acres Authorities confirmed one structure had been destroyed and three others damaged by the Line Fire "The Line Fire was less active overnight due to high moisture levels in the air the fire does continue to smolder and creep in the dry vegetation and there are occasional runs in slopes and drainages," according to a Cal Fire statement "The weekend will bring continued cooler temperatures which will help moderate fire activity and bring moisture levels up the vegetation." Roughly 3,400 firefighters battled the blaze More than 65,000 homes remained threatened by the flames including 11,400 that remained under mandatory evacuation orders A Line Fire mandatory evacuation order in Piñon Hills was reduced to a warning Friday afternoon for the area from Highway 18 south to Highway 138 and Beekley Road west to the county line Evacuation warnings were lifted in a Highland neighborhood between the 210 Freeway and Calle Del Rio Street and from the foothills south to the city limit An evacuation warning was also lifted for the Baldwin Lake and Lake Williams communities from Highway 38 north to Highway 18 and east to Baldwin Lake officials were making plans to allow residents to return to some evacuated neighborhoods "The evacuation orders for Running Springs and Arrowbear will remain in place for approximately the next two days," San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced via social media "Fire crews are working tirelessly to ensure these areas are safe for residents to return." Evacuation orders in Mountain Home Village Angeles Oaks and Seven Oaks were also expected to remain in place for at least another two days Authorities planned to hold a community meeting on the Line Fire at 7 p.m. Saturday at North Shore Elementary School, 765 North Stanfield Cutoff in Big Bear Lake. The meeting will also be streamed online on the Cal Fire San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit Facebook page at facebook.com/calfirebdu A 34-year-old Norco man accused of sparking the Line Fire with incendiary devices at the north end of Highland on Sept 5 was initially scheduled to appear for an arraignment Friday to answer to nine arson-related charges in San Bernardino County Superior Court according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office More: Line Fire arson suspect charged, allegedly started blaze with three 'incendiary devices' the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest was measured at 52,960 Cal Fire officials said firefighters had managed to build containment lines around 3% of the fire along its southwestern flank Twenty homes in the Mount Baldy area have been destroyed by the Bridge Fire along with 13 in Wrightwood and six wilderness cabins the behavior moderated significantly due to the slight increase in humidity and temperature decrease," Cal Fire officials said in a morning update "Firefighters made great progress on the ground aided by aircraft to attack the fire aggressively 24 hours per day Crews continued to be engaged with structure defense in the communities of Wrightwood The northern edge of the fire was one of firefighters' top priorities as they continued protecting structures in the evacuated neighborhoods as well as working to keep the flames from advancing into Lytle Creek to the northwest "With a total of 15 helicopters assigned to this incident including four from the National Guard aviation crews plan to focus on dropping water and fire retardant heavily in the northwest flank where the fire is currently the most active," the agency said in a morning update More than 2,100 firefighters were assigned to the incident A mandatory evacuation order in Lytle Creek was downgraded to a warning for residents from the shooting range west to the forest along with Upper North Fork Road and Middle Fork Road A Bridge Fire evacuation warning in Phelan was lifted Friday for the area from Phelan Road south to Forest Route 3N24 and Baldy Mesa Road west to Tumbleweed Road Golden State Water Company officials warned residents that damage to the system caused by the fire left the tap water unsafe to drink or cook with until further notice Incident commanders planned to hold a community meeting on the Bridge Fire at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Serrano High School Performing Arts Center, 9292 Sheep Creek Rd., Phelan. The meeting will also be streamed online on the Angeles National Forest Facebook page at facebook.com/angelesnationalforest More: Bridge, Line fire live updates: Growth of wildfires slows, firefighters make progress The cause of the Bridge Fire remained under investigation Brian Day is a Daily Press reporter who covers breaking news and writes about the criminal justice system The Bridge Fire, which ignited Sunday and burned its way through the Angeles National Forest and destroyed at least 39 homes and cabins in the Wrightwood and Mount Baldy areas The Line Fire 5 when it ignited at the north end of Highland had reached 37,589 acres in size by Thursday afternoon But firefighters had managed establish containment lines around 18% of the wildfire primarily along the south edge of the fire between Highland and the Seven Oaks Dam Thursday: Firefighters increase Line Fire containment to 21%Firefighters had built containment lines around 21% of the Line Fire raging in San Bernardino as of Thursday night The wildfire was last measured at 37,589 acres in size Damage inspection teams were still working to ascertain the number of structures potentially damaged or destroyed Sheriff's officials expanded the Bridge Fire evacuation zone in Baldy Village on Thursday evening "Effective immediately," the area from San Antonio Heights north to Wrightwood, as well east to Cucamonga Peak, was under a mandatory evacuation order, the department announced via social media Thursday: Wrightwood tap water unsafe for drinking cookingWater officials have announced the water in Wrightwood is not safe to drink or use for cooking "Golden State Water Company-Wrightwood water system experienced wildfire impacts and may have fire-related contamination," according to a statement issued by the agency this notice is being issued until data determines the water is safe to drink." The fire caused a pressure loss in the system "These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals to enter the water system," the statement said "Failure to follow this advisory could result in illness." Prosecutors filed nine arson-related counts against a 34-year-old Norco man who authorities said used three separate incendiary devices to ignited the massive Line Fire in San Bernardino County Justin Wayne Halstenberg "allegedly ignited the Line Fire using incendiary devices at three locations," San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus announced Thursday "I couldn’t be more proud of the work that the deputies assigned to the Highland station and the Cal Fire investigators did to deliver a strong case to the DA," he said in written statement "I’m proud that our district attorney will prosecute this to the fullest extent of the law." The charges filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office included aggravated arson three counts of arson of a forest land and three counts of possession of an incendiary device Additional charges could be added in the future should the fire cause more damage or injury Halstenberg was being held without bail pending legal proceedings Cooler and more humid conditions aided firefighters battling the Line Fire in San Bernardino County on Thursday "Thursday activity was less intense overnight due to cooler weather and good moisture recoveries," according to a statement from incident commanders cooler weather and smoke shading will moderate fire growth," the statement continued "Fire established in drainages will still exhibit fire spread Firefighters are building and strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots." At least one home in Running Springs was reportedly burned in the fire but an official damage tally was not available as a damage inspection team continued performing an assessment in the area United States Postal Service PO Box customers affected by Bridge Fire evacuation orders and normally served by the Mt Baldy Post Office may pick up their mail at the Upland Post Office and the USPS is proud to serve our local communities," the agency said in a written statement "We ask for patience as we hold our solemn duties to provide the safest and most efficient method of providing mail service to our residents." critically-low relative humidity levels and erratic winds firefighters battling the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest have made use of a reprieve in the weather The wildfire displayed "moderate fire behavior under favorable conditions" overnight, U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday in a written statement "Firefighters were able to continue the work done by day crews while prioritizing structure protection by utilizing ground and air support," according to the statement "Forecasted weather will assist firefighters in the fight today Crews continued to be engaged with structure defense in Wrightwood The reduced winds and increased humidity also aided firefighters during their efforts to protect structures in the Piñon Hills Crews planned Thursday to build containment lines in the Table Mountain area as well as strengthen containment lines and douse hot spots in the Wrightwood area Firefighters managed to hold the flames west of Mt Baldy Road and continued prioritizing structure defense in Mt "Containment lines on the south side were established by several resources "Retardant drops have been successful in aiding crews in protection of the foothill communities Residents will see that work increase today." the northwest side of the fire presents a unique challenge due to its topography and steep terrain making it difficult to access by ground crews," officials warned "The southwest side of the fire is holding and crews are mopping up and securing containment lines." 12:10 p.m. Thursday: State of emergency declared for Bridge FireGov. Gavin Newsom announced late Wednesday that a state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles County due to the Bridge Fire as well as in Orange County due to the Airport Fire The governor's office announced a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire over the weekend The designation allows for faster allocation of emergency responds funds and other resources Newsom visited the Line Fire command center on Wednesday Federal financial assistance has also been authorized to assist with all three Southern California wildfires More: Bridge Fire prompts San Bernardino County leaders to declare emergency Thursday: No escorts in evacuation zonesThe San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has clarified that no escorts are available for residents to visit their homes within mandatory evacuation zones "We will not be providing escorts into evacuated areas of the Line Fire for any reason feeding pets or other requests," the agency said in a written statement Please stay informed and follow all evacuation orders." Evacuating residents were urged to bring all vital necessities Despite the minimal damage from the Bridge Fire that broke out on Sunday, Sept. 8, Mountain High officials announced Wednesday night that they anticipate opening in time for the upcoming 2024-25 winter season “It’s going to be a long haul," said John McColly vice president of marketing for Mountain High and CaliPass Resorts "but our team is ready to get back to work as soon as it’s safe and we are committed to rebuilding and moving forward.” An official opening date is weather-dependent and has not been set Mountain High is hoping to open for the 2024-25 winter season sometime after Nov provided the current conditions of the Bridge Fire do not change drastically A growing list of online fundraisers are appearing on the GoFundMe.com platform to help people and families who were displaced from their homes by the Bridge and Line fires San Bernardino County sheriff's officials posted on social media that there are no new evacuation orders or warnings all previous orders and warnings remain in effect "To everyone impacted by the Line Fire and Bridge Fire we understand how challenging this time is Our teams are working tirelessly to protect your community," sheriff's officials stated "Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation." Line Fire activity was "less intense" overnight due to cooler weather Cooler weather and smoke shading is expected to moderate fire growth on Thursday Damage inspection teams are working in the area to identify damaged or destroyed structures The top priority for firefighters remained structure protection and defense within the communities of Wrightwood Mountain High West and East Ski Resort were also affected by fire activity and no communication towers went down," Cal Fire stated "Firefighters held the lines they had west of Mount Baldy Road and continued to prioritize securing contingency lines to the south." Residents over the weekend reported a “boom” that shook homes and scared animals and people in the Phelan area Ricardo Martinez of Phelan told the Daily Press that at around 10 p.m he heard a “loud boom,” which rattled his home “My five dogs all jumped up and started barking,” Martinez said Geological Survey reported no significant seismic activity in the area Martinez also speculated that a “sonic boom” may have caused his home to shake On the Phelan Informed Facebook page The Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary is located at 8545 Buttemere Road in Phelan and that south of El Mirage also shared that they heard the boom Some claimed the boom and shaking was caused by an exploding meth lab or aircraft from Edwards Air Force Base High Desert residents have reported identified “booms” that have shaken property In January 2024, Apple Valley residents reported being fed up by nightly sounds of unidentified and mysterious “explosions,” or “loud booms,” that shook homes and rattled nerves, the Daily Press reported. the “loud boom” sounds had been reported mostly between 8 p.m Apple Valley Sheriff’s spokeswoman Pam Hoffman told the Daily Press “Deputies respond to the area where the callers live but have been unable to identify what might be causing the noise,” Hoffman said In April 2016, High Desert residents reported loud booms and shaking, but no evidence of an earthquake or other abnormal activity was reported The Daily Press received several reports of what initially appeared to be an earthquake Several residents reported hearing “a loud boom,” followed by rumbling and shaking Another boom was reported just a few minutes later Although residents across the Victor Valley reported the strange occurrence most reports seemed to come from the Apple Valley area no earthquakes had been reported in the area by the U.S This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available and Angeles National Forest have identified various evacuation centers for residents impacted by the Bridge and Line fires The Bridge Fire started on Sunday Mandatory Bridge Fire evacuation orders are active for residents of Mount Baldy Village according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials and is now at 34,000 acres with 14% containment Mandatory Line Fire evacuation orders are in place for residents of Big Bear Lake and the San Bernardino mountain communities of Running Springs and all campgrounds and cabins in the area Line, Bridge fire live updates: Bridge Fire explodes overnight; Line Fire arson suspect arrested Line Fire Evacuation CentersVarious evacuation centers have been identified by San Bernardino and Los Angeles County officials mandating fire resources: Animal Evacuation CentersDevore Animal Shelter (pets/livestock): 19777 Shelter Way or after hours (800) 472-5609Palmdale Animal Care Center (small animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy. PalmdaleLancaster Animal Care Center (small animals): 5210 W LancasterAntelope Valley Fairgrounds (large animals): 2551 W Call (562) 706-8581 prior to arrival.How you can helpMultiple fire-related crowdfunding efforts have been established for victims of both the Bridge and Airport Fires The full hub of GoFundMe accounts for victims of the California fires can be found here Fires rage across California: The latest on sizes, containments, evacuations High winds and low humidity were aiding the spread of the fires, according to Cal Fire Gov. Gavin Newsom has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties More than 3,000 firefighters are working to control the "extreme fire behavior." McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com Durango High School student-athletes are used to traveling four or more hours to away events the Demons didn’t have to travel far for their two tournaments early this week The Demons traveled down to Farmington on Monday to play in The Farmington Fall Fling at Piñon Hills Golf Course Durango hosted the Durango Dalton Ranch Invitational at Dalton Ranch Golf Club It was a successful first tournament for the Demons on Monday winning The Farmington Fall Fling as a team Durango sophomore golfer Drew Jepson won the tournament “Piñon has been the toughest course that we played all year until we played Dalton yesterday,” Durango boys golf head coach Kirk Rawles said “So it actually indexed as far as maybe not the total score but given the difficulty in what the guys shot it's one of our better performances on the year.” Rawles said Piñon Hills is a tough course because if a player misses the fairway they’re likely in the native area of dirt and rocks it can be more challenging to figure out where to drop the ball A lot of the greens at Piñon Hills are tiered which means that have up to three different levels Rawles said if a player isn’t on the right tier they’ll have to lag put exceptionally well Durango won the tournament with a team score of 321 or +33 over par The team score takes each team’s top four players’ scores and combines them Farmington came in second with a team score of 352 Jepson bogeyed the par 4 fifth hole and he bogeyed the par 4 seventh hole bogeyed the par 4 11th and bogeyed the par 3 12th hole He then turned things around with birdies on the par 5 13th and the par 4 14th “All I’ve to go say is I grinded,” Jepson said I hit it in the trap on the outside of the fairways seven times I'd say in the hazard stuff.” Behind Jepson was junior Nolan Pace and senior Owen Muraro who tied for second with an +8 over par 80 Pace’s highlight was a birdie on the par 5 13th hole Muraro had a birdie on the par 5 17th hole He finished with nine bogeys and eight pars Rawles noted the New Mexico schools only started on Sept 1 so those teams may not be fully up to speed Grand Junction showed why it has one of the top golf programs in 4A The Tigers took care of business at Dalton Ranch by finishing as the top team and Grand Junction’s Ky Korte won the tournament with a -1 under par 71 The Tigers shot 220 as a team to finish +4 over par The top three players from each team were counted at Dalton Ranch Behind Grand Junction was Montezuma Cortez at 232 and Durango finished third at 236 “We weren't real happy with that,” Rawles said about the Demons’ performance at Dalton Ranch “I know that Ben and Owen weren't happy with how they played and you have to take three scores there … It's really good for us to see Grand Junction Their top three guys are really good players the more comfortable we're going to get with them and maybe we can get closer to them by the time we get to state.” Jepson finished second behind Korte with a +2 over par 74 Jepson started out on fire with three birdies in the first four holes but then went bogey He was even par on the 18th tee but had a double bogey to finish his round The star sophomore said he missed too many greens and found some water at Dalton Ranch which led to him struggling at times Behind Jepson for Durango was junior Carter Hansen who shot a 79 for the third Durango team and finished ninth Rawles was happy to see Hansen do well and said he’s one of the Demons golfers who will be battling for a spot on the regionals team Durango junior Nolan Pace finished 11th with a 79 Senior Owen Muraro shot an 83 for 16th place He had two birdies but had a nine on the par 4 ninth hole Next up for the Demons boys golf team is the Grand Junction Tournament on Monday at Tira Rado Golf Course Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: The Bridge Fire as seen from western Pomona on Tuesday evening by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com Residents in north Claremont around Fergus Falls and Mt Baldy are under an evacuation warning and have been advised to prepare to evacuate The Bridge Fire “continued to exhibit extreme fire behavior” overnight Tuesday burning some 13,000 acres and impacting structures in Wrightwood including damage to the power infrastructure there The fire had grown to 47,904 acres as of 9:30 a.m The fire grew mainly on the north and east flanks overnight “The top priority for firefighters remained in structure protection and defense within the communities of Wrightwood Pinon Hills and Mount Baldy,” according to a Wednesday morning update from U.S Forest Service Angeles National Forest officials “Once it is safe for damage assessment teams to evaluate Mountain High West and East Ski Resort were also affected by fire activity.” The USFS will livestream its 10:30 a.m. press conference this morning on its Facebook page atfacebook.com/angelesnationalforest The press conference will take place at the Santa Fe Dam boat launch 15501 Arrow Hwy. The south end of the Bridge Fire jumped Glendora Ridge Road up to Sunset Peak which was highly visible Tuesday evening from Claremont and surrounding foothill cities LA County Fire personnel talk strategy Wednesday morning at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park parking lot as several engines sit ready to be deployed to the Bridge Fire and no communication towers went down,” according to the USFS Angeles National Forest Wednesday morning update “Firefighters held the lines they had west of Mount Baldy Road “As the fire continues to head into receptive fuels with little to no fire history leading to the potential for large energy release that could create plume-driven fire behavior and column collapses which may send spot fires out ahead of the fire’s direction.” San Antonio Heights and Upland from the foothills south to 23rd Street are under evacuation warnings all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt Baldy Resort; the entire community of Wrightwood; Pinion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to LA County; Pinion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to LA County; Lone Pine Canyon from Wrightwood to Hwy 138/Lone Pine Canyon Road south to the forest; and the East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community About 500 firefighters are now battling the blaze For the latest updates on the fire, go to inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-bridge-fire. Additional information, including some dramatic video, is posted on the Angeles National Forest Facebook page at facebook.com/angelesnationalforest The cause of the fire remains under investigation This story will be updated as more information becomes available You must be logged in to post a comment © 2024 Claremont CourierAll Rights Reserved Print Edition Latest News Obituaries City Government Homes & Apartments Police Blotter Real Estate News Privacy Policy Subscribe / Renew A raging wildfire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties has exploded to more than 51,000 acres forcing residents to flee in a hurry and destroying dozens of homes The Bridge Fire has set 51,792 acres ablaze and is 0% contained Its rapid growth made it the largest active fire in the state which is also burning in San Bernardino and has scorched 37,589 acres with 21% containment One evacuee described a harrowing scene on Tuesday as flames reached a neighborhood atop California’s Mt The Bridge Fire started on Sunday afternoon the fire began to show "extreme fire behavior" and grew by over 13,000 acres spreading north and northeast towards the communities of Wrightwood and Pinon Hills It threatened over 5,000 structures as of Thursday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. Numerous buildings and structures were already impacted and damage to power infrastructure was reported Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said Six cabins in the wilderness were also destroyed Baldy had to leave their pets and important belongings behind Many are left to wonder whether their homes are still standing "It was really hard watching our house being that close to that type of destruction," Andrew Corona told USA TODAY The fire could continue to grow as it moves to areas with "receptive fuels with little to no fire history," according to Cal Fire The cause of the fire is under investigation A wildfire's destruction: Webcam captures its own fiery demise from spread of Airport Fire- See timelapse footage Suspect charged in Line Fire believed to be linked to at least 3 firesThe 34-year-old man accused of setting the over 37,000-acre Line Fire faces nine felony charges in connection with the wildfire San Bernardino County officials said Thursday Justin Wayne Halstenberg was arrested after investigators served a search warrant at Halstenberg's home on Tuesday investigators said that they found evidence linking him to the wildfire Officials previously said Halstenberg was identified as the arson suspect through his vehicle license plate which was recorded in the area at the time of the fire's ignition officials said they believe Halstenberg started three different fires last week Halstenberg "allegedly ignited the Line Fire using incendiary devices at three locations," San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said One of those fires grew into the Line Fire 5 and reached 37,589 acres in size by Thursday afternoon "The suspect's vehicle was in or around all of those areas at times in which the fires were started," San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said at the news conference Halstenberg has been charged with aggravated arson and three counts of possession of an incendiary device Halstenberg could be sentenced between 10 years to life in prison if convicted on the aggravated arson charge Baldy family with a newborn displaced from homeAndrew Corona and his fiancée were at the hospital on Monday afternoon for their 3-day-old's first pediatrician checkup when they got the alert that they needed to evacuate from their Mt the family and their 5-year-old went to stay at Corona's mother's house down the mountain "We had just finally finished unpacking the last couple of boxes putting everything up and getting everything ready Finally excited to come home and introduce our son to our home and have him comfortable," Corona said They couldn't return home Monday to get any of their belongings drove as close as he could until he reached firefighter barricades and begged them to allow him to go rescue the cat Eventually he was escorted back to his house Corona said he could see the fire one street away I'm seeing something I've never seen before I couldn't breathe when I when I got out of the car to get into my house," he said Corona only had enough time to grab Midna and a bag of things for the baby Corona said that as far as he knew by Wednesday evening but it's tough to get updates because power is down and signal is fleeting up the mountain but the stress of the imminent threat to his home coupled with the sleepless nights of having a newborn has taken a toll "It's a blessing and a really hard time to go through," he said Looks ‘like a nuke went off’ atop California’s Mt BaldyLiz Wenzel can’t stop thinking about the pets she had to leave behind police parked their cars in Wenzel’s neighborhood atop California’s Mt blasted sirens and told residents they needed to leave immediately to escape the Bridge Fire got so “freaked out” during the evacuation that he hid inside a box spring mattress and wouldn’t come out She made sure to leave him plenty of food and water the animals are the most important,” Wenzel “You can replace a lot of stuff but you can’t replace a life But she also could not bring the enclosures where her three pet snakes “This is our first time ever going through anything like this her boyfriend and their 2-year-old daughter Marceline were staying with family in Pomona and did not know when they would be able to return to their home which they believe has luckily been untouched by flames “That’s the scary part – we have no idea at all,” Wenzel said People in areas with evacuation orders are required to leave for their safety The following locations have been ordered to evacuate the area The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department expanded the Bridge Fire evacuation zone in Baldy Village on Thursday night "Effective immediately," the area from San Antonio Heights north to Wrightwood, as well east to Cucamonga Peak, was under a mandatory evacuation order, the department announced on social media Conditions may worsen in areas with evacuation warnings People in the following areas will need to evacuate should conditions change Governor grants Fire Management Assistance GrantCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that the state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency according to a statement posted to the governor's website The grant will "help ensure the availability of vital resources to Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties to suppress the Bridge Fire." "California is battling multiple fast-moving wildfires in rugged locations in Southern California," said Newsom in a statement "I’m thankful for the support the Biden-Harris Administration is providing to firefighter teams working round the clock to contain these challenging fires and safeguard the lives and property of Californians." Three boys from three different High Desert municipalities will put their endurance to the test for the Best In The Desert motocross race from Las Vegas to Reno and Caleb Tate will be representing Oak Hills and Hesperia with split segments during the 500-mile race over fallen juniper and through choking clouds of desert dust The white and black checkered flag is set to wave in the start of the race in triple-digit weather on Friday the freewheelers have been occupying their time trying to obtain sponsors building their racing bikes from the bottom up The last item on the agenda before next week's race is securing more sponsors to help pay the $200 entrance fee per rider "I reached out to the boys because they're fast and I thought they'd be a great addition to the team I was envisioning," he said Church said he started desert racing on his 65cc dirt bike and achieved his first podium at a National Hare & Hound event early in his youth started riding at the age of 3 and started racing dirt bikes at the age of 4 He won three back-to-back titles with AMA District 37 and started competing in the adult series at the age of 14 He's won five championships in the last three years with AMA District 37 and won the No 1 plate in the 250 Expert class this year also with AMA District 37 has been riding and racing dirt bikes since he was 4 years old he won the National Hare and Hound title in the junior mini class on his 85cc dirt bike This year will be his first in the adult class but being in the home-school program at Springs Charter School allows him the time to ride and practice for races The eager teenagers will be riding Church's Honda 450RX over 500 miles of "dust, rocks and glory" through the Nevada desertscape and previous training to make it across the finish line unscathed and hopefully reigning champions each of the boys worked hard to obtain sponsors They went to local High Desert businesses to ask for support and in return are now sponsored by various local businesses including Guzman Trucking The road to sponsorship has been a hard sell for Seth Dumont "I asked a lot of business and was turned down by so many," he said The vulnerability of sales may not be high on his list of college majors he was able to secure a cash donation from Precision Coatings in Lake Havasu City and sprockets for the bike from DDC Racing out of Minden All three riders are passionate about the upcoming test of endurance which is only a precursor for the many more long-distance races they aspire to compete in in the future Church and Tate's goal is to complete longer mileage races in both the U.S and Mexico following the Vegas to Reno rally and Dumont hopes to start rally racing and wants to represent the USA in bigger The boys can still use some help with covering the remainder of the entrance fees before next week For High Desert residents interested in supporting the success of local neighborhood kids McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com a routine area check by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies led to the recovery of stolen construction equipment and the arrest of two suspects The operation unfolded in the community of Pinon Hills where deputies were investigating reports of a stolen Bobcat skid steer distinguished by a unique concrete-breaking attachment was discovered inside a secured property at the 10700 block of Boy Scout Ranch Road sought and secured a search warrant to investigate further the team executed the warrant at the residence of 39-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez In addition to recovering the stolen Bobcat the deputies discovered two additional skid steers Gonzalez and Guzman were both arrested without incident Guzman is a convicted felon and had a $1,110,000.00 warrant for his arrest out of Los Angeles County for weapons violations and he was found in possession of methamphetamine Methamphetamine was also found in his vehicle and the authorities urge anyone with information to come forward and assist by contacting Deputy R Morales at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station Confidential tips can also be shared through the We-Tip hotline or website The nonprofit Transition Habitat Conservancy will host an open house at the “Monarch Butterfly Migration Mapping and Waystation” in Pinon Hills will include educational topics for all ages including learning about monarchs and other species of butterflies A large display will be available for interactive learning in the Discovery Center Enjoy a planting demonstration from expert gardener Greg Charpentier who has been landscaping and gardening for 35 years He will also demonstrate how to create a butterfly garden at home Monarch expert Gina Charpentier will teach about native milkweed and monarch migration tracking She will illustrate how to participate in a  community science project that anyone can do to help scientists track and help monarchs Gina has worked with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and the University of Georgia to receive training on monarch tagging She has also contributed to native milkweed surveys and monitoring as well as extensive public education about monarch preservation via Girl Scout training and projects and other public events Participants that sign up for the Monarch Migration Mapping Project will receive three one-gallon milkweed plants (per household) to start their own garden at home Transition Habitat Conservancy is a grassroots nonprofit organization that focuses on land acquisitions and habitat stewardship in the western Mojave Desert They are an accredited land trust with the Land Trust Alliance the organization has acquired over 10,000 acres of important habitat and works to improve thousands of additional acres in Southern California Transition Habitat Conservancy also protects transition zones and wildlife corridor ecosystems in the western Mojave Desert Registered visitors will park at the Transition Habitat Conservancy at 1681 Hillview Road in Pinon Hills and take a shuttle to the waystation. To register and for more information, call 760-868-1400 or visit transitionhabitat.org/events the largest wildfire in Southern California is the Bridge Fire (1)(2) The Bridge Fire is burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties The active uncontained fire is charring wilderness areas in the San Gabriel Mountains The fire is directly threatening several communities: At least 20 homes had been destroyed in Wrightwood and Mt Other areas under threat include the East Fork near Camp Williams Resort and portions of Riverside and Orange counties as well as surrounding communities in San Bernardino County and Airport Fire is creating poor air quality across many cities in Southern California with over 50,000 acres burned since Sunday but the fire remains uncontained due to challenging terrain and dry conditions Evacuation orders have been issued for several communities Evacuation centers have been established at the Pomona Fairplex Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center in Fontana and the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds (3) Governor Gavin Newsom has also declared a state of emergency for the area Protect yourself from wildfire smoke See how a wildfire smoke air purifier can help clean your air Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. [1] Solis N, et al. (2024, September 12). Threat to homes lingers from Southern California wildfires, officials say. Los Angeles Times [2] Turner A. (2024, September 12). Bridge Fire continues to grow, destroys dozens of homes, officials say. KTLA 5 [3] Gomez J. (2024, September 12). Bridge Fire sets almost 50,000 acres ablaze in California, 0% contained: See map. USAToday featuring advanced HyperHEPA filtration for particles of all sizes and V5-Cell filtration for gases and odors The HealthPro Plus XE model includes smart air monitoring IQAir Mask redefines what wearing a protective KN95/FFP2 mask should feel like Engineered to not only provide superior reduction for a wide range of airborne pollutants but also designed to provide the most comfortable wearing experience ever all-day protection KN95-certified air pollution mask filters 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns The Bridge Fire has set over 54,000 acres ablaze and is only 9% contained As of Monday, 2:27 a.m. local time, three firefighters were injured while attempting to contain the Bridge Fire, which started on Sept. 8. It has since destroyed 54 structures and damaged 13, according to the LA County Sheriff's post on X Moderate temperatures assisted firefighters on Sunday who were able to start establishing direct containment lines "The northwest flank of the fire continues to be the most active," according to Cal Fire "Firefighters focused on direct attack along the fire’s edge with strike teams of engines and aircraft to protect the communities of Big Pines She was stranded in her home: Elderly woman, pet cat rescued as Bridge Fire approached home in Wrightwood The east side of the fire is less active but still poses a risk to residents in the Mt firefighters have made progress and have been able to hold the fire's progress The cause of the fire is still under investigation The following roads are closed due to the Bridge Fire The following areas are being ordered to evacuate: LA CountyThe East Fork communitiesCamp Williams Resort (café campground) and the nearby River CommunitySan Bernardino CountyMt all residents north of San Antonio Dam up to the Mt Highway 138 south to Lone Pine CanyonHighway 2 east to Lone Pine Canyon RoadThe community of WrightwoodThe evacuation order excludes the area of Lytle Creek People from the shooting range west to the forest Upper North Fork Road (3N06) and Middle Fork Road are not being asked to evacuate Those evacuating looking for shelter can visit the Red Cross' website for more information Firefighters faced the Bridge Fire as the Line and Airport fires have set a total of 62,323 acres ablaze The Line fire The cause of the fire was determined to be arson and the man suspected of starting the fire is in police custody The Airport Fire is 23,519 acres in the Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon the fire was believed to have been started by a crew working on fire prevention measures there are 116,981 acres on fire because of the three wildfires which is equivalent to around 88,622 football fields Karen was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan; just kidding, one last prank on Mom. She was a HUGE Green Bay Packers fan and was often decked out in full Green Bay Packers clothing and accessories, short of the helmet and pads, of course. Karen’s passions throughout life included being a “river rat”, bowling, and watching football. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Colonel Rodney Alley (1980), her husband, Anthony Hoppe (2011), and her mother, Sheila Parker (2024). Her friends and family will truly miss her; Her memory will forever be imprinted in the hearts of those who knew her. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California. There are no events scheduled. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of KAREN DEBRA HOPPE. Tribute Archive rattlers- the Mojave Desert is writhed with native snake species like the California Kingsnake and gopher snake It was a rattler that got Kelly Anderson's 13-pound terrier one mid-day afternoon last April in Piñon Hills were working around his land weeding and tidying up when the shrill bark echoed through the juniper Syd was struck by a diamond-headed rattlesnake and rushed to the closest hospital where she received immediate treatment Syd did not have a rattlesnake vaccine in her system but was lucky enough to be rushed to a clinic right away Trying to MacGyver a makeshift tourniquet or suction out the poison would have taken crucial time away from medical treatment for Syd One hour and an emergency antivenom injection later Horror story tangos between rattlers and High Desert pets resurface each summer season The rattlesnake vaccine and snake avoidance training for dogs are two of the most effective ways to ensure your pooch stays upright and safe from snakes this season Once desert chills give way to sunbaked roads and triple-digit days venomous visitors make their presence known from late April to October in the High Desert Snakes are active not only on backcountry trails but in backyards and walking paths as well According to Apple Valley Animal Services any snake can bite if disturbed or frightened but rattlesnakes are venomous The Mojave Green is the most poisonous rattlesnake in the communities surrounding the I-15 because its venom works quickly to attack the nervous system Rattlesnakes are such a threat to dogs in the area that the Humane Society of San Bernardino is hosting a Rattlesnake Avoidance Training at 9 a.m Dogs are typically introduced to muzzled live snakes during this training and taught how to identify and avoid snakes during future encounters in the wild Kim Dougherty from Apple Valley Animal Hospital administers rattlesnake vaccines She recommends that owners vaccinate their pets in the early spring before rattlesnake season fully takes over The Apple Valley hospital gives about 100 rattlesnake vaccines each year in the High Desert They also accommodate several animals with snake bites per year and already had their first case last month when High Desert temperatures spiked The vaccine slows down the venom in dog's systems Being bit by a rattlesnake is "very scary and very expensive," she admitted Dougherty strongly encourages desert residents who are active hikers and river-dwellers to get their dogs vaccinated as soon as possible The Apple Valley Animal Hospital price is $74 for both the initial shot and a booster four weeks later for first-time patients Dougherty recommends that pups receive an updated one-shot vaccine on an annual basis Dogs bit by a rattlesnake still need to be rushed to the animal hospital as soon as possible Snake controlMultiple resources exist in the High Desert to keep homes and pets safe from venomous vipers High Desert Wildlife Control is a woman-owned business that uses ethical, poison-free wildlife solutions. According to a written statement they employ the only Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP) in California and the only female CWCP in the United States the reptiles are checked for health and dehydration before being released to programs like venom research centers a snake response team was drawn up by the Facebook group High Desert Wildlife of volunteer snake removers in the High Desert Check for insurance and consult volunteer snake trappers at your own risk Ongoing "Operation Consequences" raids focused in and around the High Desert last week turned up 29 guns a cache of illegal fireworks and 23 arrests Twenty search warrants were served by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies in conjunction with regional law enforcement colleagues "Investigators seized 29 firearms, which included six ghost guns, and made 23 felony arrests," the agency said in a written statement Deputies also recovered a significant cache of illegal fireworks during the raids Locations where contraband was seized and arrests were made included the 1400 block of Seneca Road in Victorville; the15600 block of Ferndale Road in Victorville; and the 12300 block of Oasis Road in Pinion Hills San Bernardino County's "Operation Consequences" crime-suppression campaign focuses on keeping track of convicted felons documented gang members and other people prohibited by law from possessing firearms Partners in the program include the California Highway Patrol the United States Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S Department of Homeland Security Investigations Sheriff's investigators recovered roughly $20,000 worth of stolen fencing from a Pinion Hills property where three stolen pieces of large construction equipment were found last week A fugitive sought in an attempted murder case and a registered sex offender were arrested in connection with the alleged theft The truckload of metal fencing was seized on Wednesday from a home in the 10700 Block of Boy Scout Ranch Road "The fencing was purchased with stolen credit cards in the Sacramento area and shipped to this address," the agency said in a written statement Wednesday's search warrant followed another visit to the property by deputies on May 10 in which three stolen skid steers were recovered Each piece of construction equipment is valued in the tens of thousands of dollars Ammunition and drugs were also allegedly found at the property were arrested at the home without incident More: Fugitive and sex offender found with alleged stolen construction equipment in Pinion Hills Guzman was described as convicted felon who was being sought in connection with an attempted murder case out of the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollenbeck Division according to sheriff's officials and county booking records He has pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving stolen property and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition San Bernardino County Superior Court records show who was described by authorities as a registered sex offender was booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property and drug possession He was released from custody pending legal proceedings after posting $30,000 bail Anyone with information was asked top contact the Sheriff's Victor Valley Station at (760) 552-6800. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to We-Tip at (800) 782-7463 NM 87402 - 505-566-3517 - KSJE@sanjuancollege.edu Gun shots fired toward Pinon Hills Elementary School and a bullet hole found on campus led to the arrest of a local man Shooting suspect Sean Michael David Garcia of Pinon Hills was arrested on Monday and booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto Garcia was booked into jail on suspicion of discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence deputies responded to a 911 call in Pinon Hills they were riding their off-road side-by-side when someone began shooting at them The victims told deputies that they were riding when they found someone had placed large rocks and dug ditches on several of the dirt roads to make them impassable to off-road vehicles When the victims came to an area with large ditches and rocks near Pinon Hills Elementary School the driver got out of the vehicle and heard gunshots After realizing that someone was shooting at them the victims said they feared for their safety and left the area to call 911 from their home A deputy went to Pinon Hills Elementary on Mono Road to look for damage caused by the shooting the deputy was unable to search the entire campus the deputy walked the elementary campus to check for damage A bullet hole was found in the wall of the school next to the playground rode by on motorcycles and continued on a dirt road southwest of the school Someone fired three rounds in the direction of the riders and the school with two rounds going over the deputy’s head The school was immediately placed on lockdown Responding deputies set a perimeter around the school to keep children and staff safe The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division also responded to assist in the yard of his home in the 600 block of Rancho Road including assault rifles despite being prohibited from owning weapons Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Deputy J Ballinger at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800 Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com