Home Protection, It’s In The Bag

Do you know how to properly utilize sandbags? Properly placed sandbags can help redirect water, mud and debris away from your home. Bags should be filled with heavy-bodied or sandy soil, avoid fine sand and rocky soils. They should be filled one-half to two-thirds full and in most instances be left untied. This allows the sand inside the sandbag to move and mold with the ground or other sandbags when they are laid on top of each other, preventing gaps where water can seep through.

Keep in mind, sandbags DO NOT guarantee a water-tight seal, but following these instructions can help you more effectively protect your home and property.

The County of San Bernardino offers free sandbags and sand throughout the county, and officials strongly urge residents to use this resource. However, County fire stations maintain only a limited supply of sandbags to be used during an emergency. Homeowners should not depend on that supply. Sand and sandbags can also be purchased at many home improvement and hardware stores. Purchase sandbags early and make them a part of your emergency supplies so they will be available if you need them.

Using Sandbags

The Army Corps of Engineers gives detailed instructions on how to best place sandbags, so they are most effective:

  • checkedRemove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed.
  • checkedPlace the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow. Fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised.
  • checkedPlace the sandbags to redirect water, mud or debris, not dam it.
  • crossedDo NOT place sandbags directly against the outer wall of a building. Wet bags can create added pressure on the foundation.
  • checkedFold the open end of the bag under the filled portion. Place succeeding bags with the bottom of the bag tightly and partially overlapping the previous bag.
  • checkedOffset adjacent rows or layers by one-half bag length to avoid continuous joints.
  • checkedTo eliminate voids and form a tight seal, compact and shape each bag by walking on it and continue the process as each layer is placed. This flattens the top of the bag and prevents slippage between succeeding layers.
  • checkedSandbags can best be used to help protect doorways if a waterproof layer like heavy plastic or waterproof canvas is placed behind them. If possible, tape it to the door frame. Stack the sandbags in a pyramid formation, following the above instructions, and wrap the plastic up and over the top. The waterproof sheeting is always essential for protection of doorways.

Check the National Weather Service to see current and upcoming weather events.

Sandbag Locations in San Bernardino County

Sandbags are available at no cost to local residents and businesses on a first come, first serve basis at local fire stations. County Fire personnel may not be available at all times depending on emergency calls.

Residents are encouraged not to rely on this limited supply and to prepare ahead of time. Sandbags can also be purchased at most home improvement stores. Depending on the location, sand and shovels are available at the locations listed below.

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 76
10174 Magnolia
Bloomington, CA 92316

(909) 877-2213 (Admin. Office)

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County
Station No. 1
2824 East W Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408
M-F, 8-5
(909) 382-5404

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 2
1511 Devore Road
Devore, CA 92407
(909) 473-8680

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 23
22582 City Center Court (In field next to Fire Station)
Grand Terrace, CA 92324
(909) 825-0221

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Grand Terrace City Public Works Yard
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace, CA 92313
(909) 825-3825

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Sand/sandbags available
6:00 am – 4:30 pm: Monday – Thursday)

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 9
1300 Crafton Avenue
Mentone, CA 92359
(909) 794-1284

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 75
2852 Macy Avenue
Muscoy, CA 92316
(909) 887-2727

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Wildwood Park §
40th & Waterman Avenue
San Bernardino, CA
(909) 384-7272 (M-Th 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
(909) 384-5742 (after hours)

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Blair Park §
Little Mountain Drive & 33rd Street
San Bernardino, CA
(909) 384-7272 (M-Th 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
(909) 384-5742 (after hours)

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Nunez Park (formerly Gateway Park) §
5th & Medical Center Drive
San Bernardino, CA
(909) 384-7272 (M-Th 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
(909) 384-5742 (after hours)

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 226
1920 N. Del Rosa Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92404
(909) 384-5406

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 227
282 W. 40th St.
San Bernardino, CA 92407
(909) 384-5407

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 228
(SANDBAGS & SAND AVAILABLE)
3398 E. Highland Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92346
(909) 384-5408

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

City of Fontana §
City Yard @ Public Works
16489 Orange Way
Fontana, CA 92335
(909) 350-6760

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

(10) SANDBAGS AVAILABLE – FOR RESIDENTS ONLY

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 71
6980 Arrow
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 829-4471

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 72
15380 San Bernardino Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 829-4441

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 73
14360 Arrow
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 822-6053

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 74
11500 Live Oak
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 355-1098

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 77
17459 Slover Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 428-7596

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 78
7110 Citrus Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
M-F, 8-5
(909) 350-1470

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire Station No. 79
5075 Coyote Canyon Road
Fontana, CA 92336
(909) 463-3998

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 20
497 Lytle Creek Road
Lytle Creek, CA 92358
(909) 887-2212

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Mount Baldy Station No. 200
36 Mount Baldy Road
Mount Baldy, CA 91759
(909) 982-1213

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 12
2413 North Euclid Avenue
Upland, CA 91784
(909) 982-2611

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

City of Upland – Public Works Yard
Upland residents only
1370 N. Benson Avenue
Upland, CA 91786

Administrative Office 909-291-2930
(M-Th 8:00AM- 6:00PM)

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 322
10370 Rancho Road
Adelanto, CA 92301
(760) 246-3331

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 53
72734 Baker Road
Baker, CA 92309
(760) 733-4026

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 52
39059 Kathy Lane Harvard, CA 92398 (760) 257-4756

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 4
27089 Helendale Road
Helendale, CA 92342
(760) 245-5022

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Community Services District (CSD)
26540 Vista Road
Helendale, CA 92342
(760) 951-0006

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

City of Hesperia Mojave Public Works Yard
17282 Mojave Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-1400
*Under Main Street Bridge

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Residents must fill own sandbags

City of Hesperia
9700 Seventh Avenue
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-1000
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 301
9430 11th Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • crossedSandbags
  • checkedSand

ONLY SAND IS AVAILABLE

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 302
17288 Olive St.
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 304
15660 Eucalyptus Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 305
8331 Caliente Road
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 56
37284 Flower PO Box 218
Hinkley, CA 92347
(760) 253-7704

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 10
9625 Beekley Road
Phelan, CA 92371
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 13
10433 Mt. Road
Pinon Hills, CA 92372
(760) 947-8023 (Office)
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 22
12550 Jacarando Avenue
Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 245-1100

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 57
83732 Trona Road
Trona, CA 92562
(760) 372-5988

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 36
6733 Park Boulevard
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
(760) 366-8423

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 8
33679 Highway 247
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
(760) 248-7322

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 44
6560 Adobe Rd Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
760-367-7524

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 41
57201 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
(760) 228-2160

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station 42
58612 Aberdeen Dr.
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
(760) 228-1991

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 98 (SANDBAGS AND SAND AVAILABLE)
5766 Frontage Road
Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
(909) 794-3227

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 25
23407 Crest Forest Drive
Crestline, CA 92325
(909) 338-3311

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 26
737 Grandview Road
Twin Peaks, CA 92391
(909) 337-8326

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 96
39188 Rim of the World Drive Fawnskin, CA 92333 (909) 866-4878

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 99
40847 Valley of the Falls Drive
Forest Falls, CA 92339
(909) 794-4413 or
(909) 796-3838
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 95
33596 Green Valley Lake Drive
Green Valley Lake, CA 92341
(909) 867-2176 or (909) 350-0177
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 91
301 South State Highway 173
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
(909) 337-8586
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 92 (SANDBAGS AVAILABLE)
981 North State Highway 173
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
(909) 337-3002
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • crossedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 94
27176 Peninsula Drive
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
(909) 337-3004
M-F, 8-5

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

San Bernardino County Fire
Station No. 14
5980 Elm Street
Wrightwood, CA 92397
(760) 249-3206

  • checkedSandbags
  • checkedSand

Disclaimer: Availability of sand and sandbags at individual locations is constantly changing based on storm and user activity. Please check with your appropriate local jurisdiction to verify availability of sand/sandbags.

§ = Within local city jurisdiction.

Private Industry Sandbag Purchase Availability: Check local listings for Home Improvement Centers

Last Updated: October 2024