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MONDAY, OCTOBER 07- OCTOBER 13, 2024
VOL. 8,
NO. 192
Line Fire flares in San Bernardino County, decreases containment
Beaumont student tests positive for TB, raising exposure concerns
By Staff
By City News Service
A
s two of the three wildfires burning since last month in Southern California near full containment, the Line Fire in San Bernardino County flared up last week and on Friday was 79% contained. The Line Fire has burned 43,925 acres and on Sept. 29 it suddenly threatened Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks and the Big Bear Valley. The fire began on Sept. 5 near Baseline and Alpine streets in Highland and at that point had burned 39,299 acres and was 83% contained when the blaze reached newly dried brush that served as fuel, according to county officials. The Line Fire gained ground in the Bear Creek drainage area and burned an additional 1,000 acres in 24 hours. By Wednesday morning, the burned area grew to 43,890 acres and containment reduced to 79%. The San Bernardino County Fire Department rejoined the unified firefighting command that consists of Complex California Incident Management Team 11, the San Bernardino National Forest and Cal Fire San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued evacuation orders for Seven Oaks and Angelus Oaks and evacuation warnings for the Boulder Bay area of Big Bear, from the dam east to Wildrose Lane, and the entire community of Big Bear Lake. The American Red Cross, with help from several county agencies, opened evacuation shelters for affected residents and their pets at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave., and the Apple Valley Conference Center at 14975 Dale Evans Parkway. Teams from county’s Behavioral Health, Aging and Adult Services, Homeless Services and Animal Care departments were at the evacuation
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ealth officials were working Thursday to identify individuals who may have come into contact with a Beaumont High School student suffering from active tuberculosis to advise them to obtain TB screenings. According to the Riverside County Department of Public Health, the youth, whose name was not disclosed, was diagnosed with the illness last month. Beaumont Unified School District administrators are working with health officials to ensure anyone who was in close physical proximity to the teenager between Aug. 8 and Sept. 19 is aware there were potential exposure risks. “Our entire community should be reassured by the collaborative efforts between our district and county health officials, who have worked tirelessly in their response,” BUSD Superintendent Mays Kakish said. The health department and district are seeking to identify roughly 150 people who may have been exposed to the patient for the purpose of recommending that they be screened for TB. “While the risk of infection is low, it’s recommended that individuals who receive the exposure notification letter be tested,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung said. “The test is quick and can provide peace of mind for both individuals and their families.”
San Bernardino County CEO Luther Snoke, left, and Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe visit the Line Fire on Oct. 1. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
shelters to assist residents. Up-to-date information on the fire and resources for residents can be found on the county’s Line Fire webpage, prepare.sbcounty.gov/linefire. Help is also available by calling 211. In a statement Friday, Cal Fire reported that on Tuesday night “firefighters made great progress on the Line Fire overcoming high heat and steep terrain to keep the fire in its current footprint. Night flying helicopters are being utilized to extinguish heat both along the fire perimeter as well as extinguishing burning fuels in the interior.” Through the end of last week, crews continued to monitor and patrol along the Highway 330 corridor on the fire’s western side, officials said. “Fire crews have been inserted to go direct along the fire’s edge with the assistance of water dropping helicopters along Siberia Creek,” according to Cal Fire. “On the eastern flank of the fire, fire-
fighters will continue to mop up, strengthen and improve containment lines.” On Friday over 2,100 firefighting personnel were battling the blaze, Cal Fire reported. The Line Fire has destroyed four structures, damaged one and has injured five firefighters. The fire was the result of arson, according to Cal Fire. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to free up resources to help fight the fire and aid recovery efforts. For up-to-date information and resources on the 54,878-acre Bridge Fire that has affected San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, visit prepare.sbcounty.gov/ bridge-fire. The 23,526-acre Airport Fire in Riverside and Orange counties was 97% contained on Friday. Recovery efforts assist seniors The San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services — Public
Guardian is part of the response to the Line and Bridge fires. Since Sept. 5, more than 150 agency staff members dedicated over 1,000 hours and initiated hundreds of safety calls to help older adults and individuals with disabilities, including those who are homebound or suffering from dementia-related illnesses, in fire-affected areas, county officials said. Assistance ranged from providing personal supplies and medications to emergency shelter. On Sept. 18, the county established three “local assistance centers,” which are hubs to connect with county services for residents who are displaced and impacted by the brush fires, according to a county statement. DAAS-PG staff did assessments, provided behavioral health and wellness services and helped residents get food and gas cards, generating dozens of new cases for the department.
See TB test Page 23
Prosecutors announce settlement with Vons, Albertsons over false advertising By City News Service
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iverside County will receive part of a $3.96 million settlement with the Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies following settlement of a civil suit against the corporation over mislabeled prices that cost customers more money at the checkout counter, it was announced Thursday. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office joined prosecutors in Alameda, Los Angeles, Marin, San Diego, Sonoma and Ventura counties in filing the lawsuit, alleging false advertising and unfair competition. The suit was filed and disposed in Marin. The precise sum of the settlement, which resulted in $3.21 million in civil penalties and $749,500 in restitution, going to Riverside County could not be immediately confirmed. According to a DA’s office statement, an investigation last year of Albertsons and Vons outlets statewide revealed the “grocers unlawfully charged customers prices higher than their lowest advertised price.”
See Vons Page 23