On Monday afternoon just after 2:30PM, San Bernardino County Fire responded to reports of a vegetation fire in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive in the city of San Bernardino. Due to weather conditions, CountyFire dispatched a first-alarm Vegetation Fire High response which includes six engine companies, one dozer, a hand crew and one chief officer.
Firefighters arrived four minutes after dispatch to find one acre of dry grasses burning on the hillside with a rapid rate spread up the slope. There was an imminent structure threat to several homes along Beverly Drive with an immediate threat to homes above the fire. Additional resources were dispatched to support the structure defense mission as well as the brush fire itself. San Bernardino Police Department performed evacuations of residents affected by the rapidly approaching flame front.
The fire made a rapid run to the top of Little Mountain before beginning an eastward progression under the influence of southwest winds which were sustained at 8-10 mph. Temperature at the start of the incident was 109.
Forward progress of the fire was stopped at 5:45 pm. The fire is currently holding at 54 acres and 75% containment.
At its peak, over 200 personnel were assigned to the incident. County Fire received assistance from CalFire, Riverside City Fire and a multitude of adjacent fire agencies. Despite how quickly the fire impacted the community, no civilians were injured. One firefighter was treated and transported to a local hospital for evaluation of minor injuries and has since been released.
At 11:30 this morning, all evacuation orders were lifted. Access to Circle Drive, Vista Drive and Hillhurst Drive remain restricted to support ongoing fire operations.
Damage Assessment Teams from County Fire’s Office of the Fire Marshal have completed their survey of the affected neighborhoods. Five single family homes and one outbuilding were destroyed. Three homes were damaged.
The cause of the fire has been determined to be human in nature and remains under investigation through County Fire’s Office of the Fire Marshal.
Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 2024 2:40pm
Location: 3300 block Beverly Drive San Bernardino
Incident: Vegetation Fire (BDC#: 24-194232)
Contact: Eric Sherwin, Public Information Officer (909) 547-5080