Wildfire in San Bernardino County continues burning near California-Arizona border

Fire crews battled a wildfire that prompted evacuations in San Bernardino County Saturday.

The “Needles Fire” was first reported on the 900 block of Bush Street in Needles at around 1:15 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

By 5 p.m., it grew to 70 acres and by 7:30 p.m., it expanded to around 203 acres.

The fire eventually jumped across the Colorado River and into the state of Arizona. Fire crews from both California and Arizona worked to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby structures.

By 10 p.m., forward movement of the fire on the California side had been stopped at 60 acres and was contained at 50%. On the Arizona side, the fire had burned around 143 acres.

Roads on Needles Highway from Interstate 40 to Old National Trails Highway will remain closed overnight.

Mandatory evacuations were in place at Fenders Resort on Needles Highway but were lifted at 6:30 p.m. Evacuees were initially directed to the Needles Senior Center.

Helicopters and aircraft responded to the scene to drop water and fire retardant on the growing flames. The San Bernardino County Fire Department and other fire agencies arrived at the scene as well.

There were around 60 firefighters on the California side and 143 firefighters on the Arizona side who worked to contain the fire at the state border.

One structure has been destroyed. No injuries to firefighters or residents were reported.

“Deputies will be enforcing the road closure and providing security,” officials said. “Fire crews are overhauling hot spots on the California side and there is active fire on the Arizona side.”

The temperature in Needles was around 110 degrees when the fire ignited. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Fire crews will continue working overnight.

Anyone with information on the fire can call the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department at 760-326-9200. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

More information on the Needles Fire can be found here.

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