Southern California’s Line Fire Exceeds 20,000 Acres with Evacuations

A massive wildfire in Southern California’s San Bernardino County is currently threatening over 36,000 structures, as reported by emergency officials. Known as the Line Fire, this blaze started on September 5 and has since consumed approximately 20,553 acres located east of Los Angeles. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has stated that, as of late Sunday night, the fire remains completely uncontained, marking the situation as critical.

Despite the severity of the fire, there have been no reports of damaged or destroyed structures thus far. However, authorities have indicated that 36,328 structures are at risk, highlighting the urgent need for caution in the area. “Line Fire behavior was moderated Sunday morning due to smoke, but as the afternoon progressed, the smoke cleared and temperatures climbed, resulting in heightened fire activity,” Cal Fire reported.

To combat the fire, “night flight capable aircraft will be utilized when possible to try to hold the fire within current containment lines,” the agency noted. Cooler weather is expected early next week, which may help reduce fire activity below the marine layer. However, the potential for spot fires to ignite beyond the control lines remains a concern.

In response to the escalating threat, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday. Following the announcement, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents in the fire’s path, and those orders were expanded on Sunday to cover additional areas.

Governor Newsom also announced that President Joe Biden approved the state’s request for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “I thank President Biden for his swift approval of support for the work of our firefighters and first responders battling this fire and protecting local communities,” Newsom stated. He urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice if local authorities issue such a directive.

The cause of the Line Fire is still under investigation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding this dangerous situation. Meanwhile, another fire known as the Bridge Fire has erupted in Los Angeles County, burning close to 800 acres north of Azusa within the Angeles National Forest. This fire is also at 0% containment, resulting in evacuation orders for a nearby mobile home park, campgrounds, and a small river community. Night-flying helicopters have been deployed to assist in controlling this blaze as well.

In Lake County, the Boyles Fire has burned approximately 90 acres and is currently 10% contained. Cal Fire indicated that while progress has been made, the forward momentum of the fire has not been halted. This particular fire has resulted in the destruction of around 30 structures and between 40 to 50 vehicles.

In another region, firefighters are battling the Davis Fire in Nevada’s Washoe County, which has devastated 6,500 acres but remains at 0% containment. The U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire is spreading through dense timber and brush, with gusty conditions expected throughout the week. At least 14 structures have been impacted so far, and power outages have continued in the area. A portion of south Reno is under evacuation notice, affecting around 12,000 to 14,000 residents.

The challenge posed by these wildfires underscores the critical need for public safety measures and readiness in affected communities. As firefighting efforts continue, officials remain focused on protecting lives and properties from the ongoing threats.