All-hands-on-deck as 3 LA-area wildfires burn over 100,000 acres

In Southern California, three rapidly spreading wildfires have scorched over 100,000 acres in less than a week, putting numerous communities on high alert. As the state ramps up its response, including deploying National Guard troops, first responders are engaged in a fierce battle against the raging flames.

Nearly 6,000 members of the National Guard, law enforcement, and other emergency responders have joined the firefighting efforts. The ground response has been bolstered with a fleet of 51 firefighting helicopters, nine fixed-wing aircraft—including two National Guard C-130s—520 fire engines, 75 bulldozers, and 141 water tankers aimed at controlling the blazes, two of which remain out of control.

The most significant of these fires is the Bridge Fire, which sparked in the Angeles National Forest about 31 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It erupted dramatically from approximately 4,000 acres on Tuesday to nearly 48,000 acres by Wednesday morning, as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Bridge Fire has wreaked havoc across Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, leading to the destruction of the Mountain High Ski Resort, where images surfaced of the chairlift engulfed in flames. The fire is also posing a significant threat to smaller mountain communities, including Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy.

At least 33 homes have been lost in Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy, with an alarming 2,500 more structures currently at risk, according to Cal Fire. The cause of this destructive wildfire is still under investigation.

A resident from Lake Elsinore, Candace Lace, related her harrowing experience, saying, “It’s just a nightmare. My girlfriend lost her home, and I had to call her to tell her she’s losing her home. I could see it on fire.”

By Wednesday morning, the Bridge Fire had already claimed 47,904 acres and has led to multiple evacuation orders and warnings, as reported by Cal Fire. Wrightwood resident Stephanie Beck described the speed of the fire, stating, “We really didn’t even have time to think. It was just throw everything in the car and go.”

In the meanwhile, the Line Fire, which has been burning areas east of Los Angeles since September 5, saw an arrest on Tuesday. Authorities apprehended 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, linking him to the ignition of the fire near Baseline Road and Alpin Street.

Halstenberg is being held on arson charges with a bail set at $80,000. As of Wednesday, the Line Fire has burned approximately 34,659 acres and is currently 14% contained, according to Cal Fire. This fire is threatening over 65,600 structures, including both homes and commercial properties.

Evacuations have been ordered for 13,300 structures, with an additional 52,300 under evacuation warnings. Active firefighting efforts are underway, although three firefighters have sustained injuries battling this blaze.

Cal Fire has indicated that today’s elevated winds and ongoing dry conditions could exacerbate the problem, allowing the fire to expand further. Currently, over 3,100 firefighting personnel are actively working to contain the blaze.

In a bid for additional resources, Governor Gavin Newsom has sought assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the efforts against the Bridge and Airport fires.

Speaking of the Airport Fire, which ignited on Monday in Orange County before spreading to Riverside County, it has burned around 22,376 acres and remains at 0% containment as of Wednesday, growing by an alarming 3,348 acres overnight.

This wildfire threatens about 10,500 structures, including homes and businesses, and has already resulted in injuries to five firefighters and two civilians. This fire reportedly started due to work being done by county crews aimed at fire prevention.

A total of 16 active wildfires are currently impacting California, having burned a staggering 613,819 acres as of Wednesday. This fire season has already seen 6,045 wildfires erupt in California, consuming over 900,000 acres.

As the situation continues to develop, the communities affected remain on high alert, and emergency crews are working tirelessly to protect lives and properties.

Source: ABC News