N-T-G: Nothing mystical about what you saw. That is common in your area this time of year (if I have your approximate location correct...)
Think about the MANY wildfires in the general area of the San Gabriel Mountains northwest of San Bernardino... then think about the general weather patterns lately - the low humidity, the windy conditions and the ON-SHORE Pacific winds that take place after sunset some days...
My brief research indicates that what you saw as a wildfire REFLECTION off of the smoky Pacific cloud layer in place to your northwest, north and northeast. I have witnessed this phenomenon myself and because of my involvement as a weather analyst, I can be over 80 percent sure that this is what you saw. There are other possibilities such as a rocket test shot from Vendenburg AFB in Santa Barbara County which lands in the military test range north of Barstow, bit I'd have to go with the reflection situation based upon current conditions.
Hope that helps a bit...
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