TO CLOSE

As wildfires devastate California, here's a look at what to do in the event of an evacuation.
Geraldine Estevez, The desert sun

A vegetation fire occurred on Sunday night near the California State University in San Bernardino.

Due to the erratic winds of Santa Ana, the fire quickly spread from 3 to 30 acres above the 5500 block of University Parkway, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

At 9:36 pm, officials announced that the fire had been stopped and the threat to the structures had been mitigated.

The cause of the fire, which began around 19:25, is still under investigation. Firefighters and civilians were not injured, according to Eric Sherwin, information officer of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

A voluntary evacuation of a dozen residences in a neighborhood near 59th Street and I Street, in northern San Bernardino County, was closed at 9:15 pm, Sherwin said.

The engines were put in place to protect the buildings, and the firefighters kept in place the means of protecting the structures "as a precaution," said Sherwin.

The fire was not a threat to the university community and did not impose road closures in areas around or on campus.

Firefighters are waiting to work all night to reinforce the containment line and patrol the hot spots, Sherwin said.

Extreme fires continue throughout the state while several forest fires burn in California. Fires in Butte County reached 111,000 acres on Sunday and remained uncontrollable with confinement of just 25%. The Griffith Park Fire of 1933 was compared to the deadliest fire in California's history, with the authorities announcing on Sunday evening the discovery of six new bodies, bringing the total to 29 dead.

More: Fire Fight in Southern California: Here's What You Need to Know for the Weekend

More: Fire in California: Fire Chief Says "The Day Has Been Better" While Containment Continues Despite Santa Ana Winds

More: California fires: Air quality reviews issued, but Santa Ana winds could help

In Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the total area of ​​Woolsey Fire stood at 85,500 on Sunday night, with a 15% containment, according to CalFire.

At least 177 structures were destroyed by the Woolsey fire on Sunday morning, authorities said.

Outbreaks were reported Sunday north of Pepperdine University, West Hills and Bell Canyon, fueled by the increasing winds of Santa Ana. The National Meteorological Service issued a general red flag warning that dry air, gusty winds and very dry fuel created "extremely critical fire conditions". Gusts could potentially reach 70 mph.

This story is in development and will be updated.

Kristin Scharkey is editor-in-chief of DESERT magazine and community content editor at The Desert Sun. Contact her at [email protected] or on Twitter @kscharkey.

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