Fire crews battled a raging wildfire in San Bernardino County on Saturday, as the "Needles Fire" prompted evacuations and threatened structures. The fire broke out at approximately 1:15 p.m. on the 900 block of Bush Street in Needles, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Within a matter of hours, the wildfire rapidly spread, covering an estimated 203 acres by 7:30 p.m. The intensity of the blaze led it to jump across the Colorado River into the neighboring state of Arizona, prompting both California and Arizona fire crews to join forces in containment efforts.

Efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures were successfully carried out, with forward movement halted on the California side at 60 acres by 10 p.m., and containment reaching 50%. In Arizona, the fire consumed approximately 143 acres.

As a precautionary measure, roads on Needles Highway from Interstate 40 to Old National Trails Highway were closed overnight. Mandatory evacuations were initially implemented for Fenders Resort on Needles Highway, but residents were allowed to return home at 6:30 p.m. Evacuees were temporarily directed to the Needles Senior Center.

Firefighting resources were swiftly deployed to combat the fire, with helicopters and aircraft dropping water and fire retardant onto the growing flames. Both the San Bernardino County Fire Department and other fire agencies were called in to assist. A total of 60 firefighters were deployed on the California side, while 143 firefighters worked relentlessly on the Arizona side of the fire near the state border.

Regrettably, one structure fell victim to the flames, but no injuries were reported among firefighters or residents. Security and road closures were enforced by local authorities, while fire crews continued to tackle hot spots in California and combat active fire in Arizona as temperatures soared to a scorching 110 degrees in Needles.

Despite ongoing efforts to gather information, the cause of the Needles Fire remains unknown and under investigation. Fire crews will remain vigilant overnight to ensure containment and to prevent any potential reignition.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the fire to contact the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department at 760-326-9200. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

Further updates and details on the progress of the Needles Fire can be found by visiting the provided link.