Sierra Fire: 400-acre fire breaks out in Fontana, containment reaches 80% after homes threatened

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) — A 400-acre brush fire raged in Fontana on Sunday, burning dangerously close to homes before being 80 percent contained, authorities said.

The fire called the Sierra Fire broke out near the intersection of Sierra and Jurupa avenues, less than two miles south of Highway 10. No injuries were reported.

“Structure defenses are in place,” the San Bernardino County Fire Department said on X at 3:42 p.m., adding that the fire was burning in a southeast direction with “moderate side slope expansion to the east.”

AIR7 video showed flames burning on the side of a hill near a row of homes, with only a retaining wall between the homes and the fire.

Fixed-wing planes were seen dropping pink Phos-Chek at the scene as firefighters on the ground walked toward the fire line on foot.

No evacuation orders have been issued.

The fire was 15% contained as of 6 p.m. and structures remained threatened, according to firefighters. Additional land and air assets were requested.

Just over three hours later, the containment level had increased to 80% and the structural threat had been reduced, officials said.

“Firefighters are remaining on scene through the night mopping up and reinforcing containment lines,” the fire department said on social media. Sierra Avenue was scheduled to reopen at 10 p.m.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.