In the scorching and dry weather, the “Line Fire” raging in the eastern part of Los Angeles continues to be out of control, threatening over 35,000 buildings and forcing more than 6,000 residents to evacuate. The raging fire, with only 3% containment, has caught the attention of the White House.
The Line Fire started burning on the edge of the San Bernardino County National Forest, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles, on September 5th. As of Monday afternoon, it has consumed 23,601 acres of land. Over 1,700 firefighters from various local, state, and federal agencies are working to contain the fire, with the California National Guard deploying air and ground support teams.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County on the 7th, as over 36,000 homes and structures in rural areas of the county are threatened. Residents of Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, and other sparsely populated areas have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
Additionally, evacuation warnings have been issued for Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment. The San Bernardino County Fire Department advises residents to be prepared for evacuation at any moment.
Due to the threat of the wildfire, authorities have closed sections of Highway 18 and Highway 38. Residents of the Running Springs area under evacuation orders can use Highway 18 to leave but are not allowed to return. People can check online for all affected areas and road closures.
As of Monday, all evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Governor Newsom, following the declaration of a state of emergency in San Bernardino County, stated, “Residents in the affected areas must remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate immediately as required by local authorities. This is crucial.”
With temperatures in Southern California surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several days consecutively, controlling the fire has become challenging. Local officials note that the region’s vegetation is extremely dry, and the hot and dry weather conditions along with thunderstorms pose a significant challenge to firefighting efforts in the upcoming days.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre remarked during a press conference on Monday, “Our thoughts are with the thousands of Americans under mandatory evacuation orders in the western regions. Federal officials are monitoring the wildfires, including the Line Fire in California and the Davis Fire in Nevada.”
The ongoing wildfires have severely impacted the air quality in the inland areas of Southern California. Residents of San Gabriel Valley, Chino Valley, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County are all experiencing the effects.
Since last Friday, residents in Riverside County have noticed a thick smell of smoke in the air, with a layer of ash covering outdoor parked cars. Some residents mentioned smelling a burning wood-like odor even with doors and windows shut.
Residents of Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, and even San Gabriel City, located some distance away from the burning areas, have also reported a noticeable deterioration in air quality.
Apart from the Line Fire, the “Bridge Fire” broke out in Los Angeles National Forest on the 8th, consuming 1,258 acres within a day with 0% containment.
The San Bernardino County government reminds the public that smoke is as dangerous as the fire itself. If your area is shrouded in smoke, it is advised to stay indoors as much as possible. If you need to go outside, wear a mask to protect yourself from smoke exposure.
As of 4 pm on the 9th, there have been no reports of buildings damaged or destroyed by the Line Fire, but three firefighters have been injured.