Firefighters stop San Bernardino brush fire’s progress, lift evacuation orders
A fast-moving brush fire broke out in San Bernardino on Wednesday and quickly grew to more than 50 acres before firefighters brought the blaze under control in the late afternoon.
Dubbed the University fire, it sparked near University Drive and the 215 Freeway around 11:30 a.m. after a vehicle fire spread to nearby vegetation, said Mike McClintock, battalion chief with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
It grew to 50 acres within an hour, and by 3 p.m., it was estimated to be between 50 and 100 acres, officials said.
Several evacuation orders were issued, including to a nearby dialysis center, where 23 patients were safely removed from the building, fire officials said.
The blaze was 50% contained and its forward rate of spread had stopped shortly after 4 p.m., prompting fire officials to lift all evacuation orders.
“Crews will continue to mop up and increase containment lines this evening,” officials said.
Times staff writer Gregory Yee contributed to this report.
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