It happened fast. One minute the San Bernardino Valley sky is that dusty, high-desert blue we’re all used to, and the next, there’s a massive plume of gray-black smoke rising over the 210. If you’re looking for info on a fire in Fontana today, you aren’t alone. The Santa Ana winds aren't playing around this season, and in a place like Fontana—where the wind tunnels through the Cajon Pass like a freight train—even a small spark in a dry vacant lot or a kitchen fire in a warehouse can turn into a localized emergency in minutes.
The reality of living in the Inland Empire is that fire is a constant neighbor. It’s not always a massive brush fire eating up thousands of acres in the foothills. Sometimes it’s a commercial structure fire in the industrial district south of Foothill Boulevard or a vegetation fire near the Jurupa Hills.
Why Fontana is a Powder Keg Right Now
You’ve probably noticed the heat. It’s been brutal. When you combine triple-digit temperatures with humidity levels that hover in the single digits, the vegetation becomes basically kindling. The San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) stays on high alert because the fuel moisture levels in our local brush—like the chamise and buckwheat you see along the edges of the city—are at record lows.
When a fire in Fontana today breaks out, the response time is everything. Fontana is unique because it’s a mix of heavy industrial zones, tightly packed residential neighborhoods, and that wildland-urban interface (WUI) where the city meets the mountain.
The wind is the real villain here. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "Fontana Winds." They aren't just breezes; they are downslope gusts that can reach 60 miles per hour. A fire that starts at a homeless encampment or from a tossed cigarette on the I-15 can be pushed across three city blocks before the first engine even arrives. Honestly, it’s terrifying how fast the "pink" (Phos-Chek) starts dropping from the planes once the winds pick up.
Real-Time Tracking: Where to Get the Best Information
Don't trust a random Facebook post from three years ago that someone reshared. That happens way too often. People panic because they see a photo of smoke and think the whole city is under evacuation.
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For the most accurate updates on any fire in Fontana today, you need to look at the source. The San Bernardino County Fire Department uses a platform called PulsePoint. If you don't have it on your phone, get it. It shows you every active call the department is responding to in real-time. You’ll see icons for "Structure Fire," "Vegetation Fire," or even just "Public Service."
Another heavy hitter is Cal Fire’s incident map. However, Cal Fire usually handles the big stuff in the state responsibility areas. For a fire specifically within the city limits of Fontana, the SBCoFD Twitter (or X) feed is usually the fastest way to see if there are evacuation orders for your specific street.
Understanding the Smoke: It’s Not Just About the Flames
Even if the fire is miles away—maybe up in Lytle Creek or over by Rancho Cucamonga—Fontana gets the brunt of the air quality issues. Because of the way the valley is shaped, the smoke settles. It gets trapped.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) often issues advisories for the Fontana area during active fires. You might see the sun turn a weird, apocalyptic orange. That’s not just a cool filter for your Instagram; that’s particulate matter (PM2.5) that can seriously mess up your lungs. If you have asthma or if you’re older, stay inside. Turn the AC to "recirculate" so you aren’t pulling that ash into your living room.
The Most Common Causes of Fires in Our Area
It’s rarely a lightning strike. In Fontana, it’s almost always human-related. We see a lot of fires along the Pacific Electric Trail. Sometimes it’s accidental—a spark from a lawnmower hitting a rock—and sometimes it’s more frustrating, like illegal fireworks or debris burning.
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- Vehicle Fires on the 10 and 15 Freeways: These happen daily. A blown tire or an overheated engine in 105-degree weather can ignite the dry grass on the shoulder.
- Industrial Accidents: With the massive number of warehouses in South Fontana, electrical fires or chemical mishaps are a constant risk.
- Power Lines: High winds can knock lines down or cause "arcing," which drops sparks into the brush.
CAL FIRE and the San Bernardino County Fire investigators are usually on the scene pretty quickly to determine the cause. If a fire is deemed "suspicious," you’ll see the arson investigators out there in those white suits.
How to Prepare Before the Smoke Appears
You shouldn't be packing your bags while you smell smoke. That’s too late.
The "Ready, Set, Go!" program is the gold standard for fire safety in Southern California.
- Ready: Create defensible space around your home. If you have tall, dry weeds against your fence, cut them. Now.
- Set: Have your "Go Bag" by the door. This isn't just for doomsday preppers. It should have your birth certificates, medications, and enough water for two days.
- Go: If the police or fire department tell you to leave, leave. Fontana has narrow streets in some of the older neighborhoods, and if everyone waits until the last second, the gridlock becomes a death trap.
What to Do If You Are Near a Fire in Fontana Today
If you see smoke, don't drive toward it to take a video. You are blocking the fire engines.
Close all your windows. Shut your pet inside. If the fire is close, move your car into the garage and close the door, but keep your keys in your pocket. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly ones who might not have a smartphone to check for alerts.
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If you are under a "Warning," it means there's a threat, but no immediate danger. An "Order" means get out now. There is no middle ground there. The evacuation centers for Fontana are usually set up at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center or local high schools like A.B. Miller or Fontana High, depending on the location of the blaze.
A Quick Note on "Controlled Burns"
Sometimes you’ll see smoke and panic, but it turns out to be a prescribed burn. These are rare in the middle of Fontana but common in the surrounding mountains during the cooler months. The fire department does this to clear out the "dead load" of brush so that a summer fire doesn't get out of control. They will always announce these ahead of time on the city’s official website and social media channels.
Immediate Action Steps for Residents
Staying safe during a fire in Fontana today is about information and preparation. Don't rely on word of mouth.
- Sign up for TENS: The Telephone Emergency Notification System. It’s like an Amber Alert but specifically for local emergencies in San Bernardino County. It will call your landline or text your cell if your neighborhood is in danger.
- Check your air filters: If there has been smoke in the air recently, your HVAC filters are probably clogged with ash. Change them out to a HEPA-rated filter to keep your indoor air clean.
- Clear your gutters: Dry leaves in your rain gutters are the #1 way embers ignite houses. Even if the fire is a mile away, the wind can carry embers that land in your gutters and start a fire on your roof.
- Download the SBCoFD app: Stay ahead of the news cycle by seeing exactly what the crews are seeing.
- Keep a half tank of gas: If an evacuation order hits, the lines at the gas stations on Sierra or Cherry Avenue will be backed up for miles.
The threat of fire in the Inland Empire isn't going away. Our climate basically guarantees a "fire season" that now lasts almost all year. By staying informed through official channels and keeping your property clear of brush, you’re doing the best thing possible to protect your home and your family.
Stay vigilant, keep your eyes on the horizon, and listen to the crews in the yellow suits. They know the terrain better than anyone.