EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 61, NO. 40
September 12, 2024
Line Fire Burns 23,714+ Acres with 5% Containment, September 9th
IECN.com
California’s Inland Empire is a News Mirage Pg. 3
September’s Fight Against Childhood Cancer: Advocating for the 16,000 U.S. Children Diagnosed Each Year
PHOTOS MANNY SANDOVAL
The photos above were shot on Friday September 6th, 2024 near Greenspot Road in Highland.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he Line Fire, which broke out at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 5th, near Baseline Road and Aplin Street in East Highlands Ranch, has now reached 23,714 acres, with moderate growth and only 5% containment as of Monday, September 9th at 6:30 PM. In response to the fire’s continued threat to the region, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday, securing federal assistance for San Bernardino County. The cause of the fire
remains under investigation by Cal Fire. Evacuations and Resources for Residents As of September 9th, 36,328 structures have been threatened, and mandatory evacuation orders are still in effect for several areas. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has urged residents to leave immediately due to the life-threatening danger posed by the fire. The most recent evacuation orders and warnings are as follows: Mandatory Evacuation Orders (Newest First): Communities of Angelus Oaks, Seven
Oaks, all campgrounds, and cabins in the area The community of Forest Falls Mountain Home Village East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill, from Highland Avenue north to the foothills Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place, north of Highland Avenue Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake (east of Highway 330 and south of Line Fire cont. on next pg.
Rialto’s Arsenic Levels Near Legal Limit in Drinking Water: Council Challenges Veolia’s Water Safety Protocols
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Inland Empire Community Three-Alarm Fire Newspapers Destroys Historic San
Office: (909) 381-9898 Bernardino Church, Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Injures One Firefighter Advertising: sales@iecn.com Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com
Pg. 5
PHOTO VEOLIA
Veolia’s powerpoint slide showcasing that the public health goal for arsenic in drinking water is .004 ppb, with a 9.7 ppb result in March 2023.
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
By Manny Sandoval
A
rsenic levels in Rialto’s drinking water have raised concerns after City Well 2 registered arsenic concentrations of 9.7 parts per billion (ppb) in March 2023, just shy of the federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 ppb. During a contentious City Council meeting,
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott questioned Veolia, the city’s water service provider, on their decision to keep the well operational and expressed doubts about the safety measures taken to protect the public. “We should be looking at shutting that well down, period,” Scott asserted, after Veolia’s representative claimed that blend-
ing the water with other sources mitigated the high arsenic levels. “All that is, is dilution, and that is not acceptable.” According to Stephen Difuccia from the Rialto Utilities Department, arsenic was detected in the city’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, which is mandated by Rialto Arsenic cont. on next pg.