On September 29, firefighters in the mountainous areas of Southern California launched a rescue operation against a month-long wildfire that had reignited, quickly spreading along the dry river channels.
The Line Fire, which started on September 5 in San Bernardino County, about 100 miles from Los Angeles, has spread over 68 square miles in the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest.
According to the update from CalFire on Monday (30th), the recent high temperatures have led to dry vegetation, dry air, steep terrain, and increasing winds, causing the fire to surpass expectations. The current containment rate of the fire is approximately 80%.
The Seven Oaks community, located about 110 miles from Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains, remains under evacuation orders. Angelus Oaks and the Boulder Bay area at Big Bear Lake also issued evacuation warnings on Monday.
Around 1,200 firefighters are continuing to battle the significant blaze, equipped with 10 helicopters, 69 fire engines, 14 bulldozers, and 10 water trucks.
California Governor Gavin Newsom activated the National Guard on September 10 to assist in extinguishing the Line Fire. The fire has destroyed one home and damaged four others. According to CalFire, four people have been injured.
CalFire reports that firefighters will continue to focus on the Santa Ana River channel. Additional firefighting teams and equipment have been deployed to the area, including four helicopters conducting water drops over the channel.
The Bear and Siberia Creek drainage area is identified as a second active fire zone, where firefighters have established fire lines to contain the blaze.
On September 10, San Bernardino County authorities arrested 34-year-old Norco resident Justin Wayne Halstenberg on suspicion of starting the Line Fire.
District Attorney Jason Anderson filed nine arson charges against Halstenberg on September 12, including charges related to harming firefighters, arson resulting in damage to homes and forest land, and possession of flammable devices. He mentioned the possibility of adding more charges in a press release.
Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, the district attorney’s office believes the defendant attempted multiple arsons within an hour.
Southern California is expected to experience even hotter weather this week.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in San Bernardino County are forecasted to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday and 105 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday. The Weather Service has issued a heat wave warning for the county, starting from Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Wildfires in California this summer have caused extensive damage to homes and properties. CalFire and other fire agencies have responded to 6,500 wildfires this year, covering nearly 1,600 square miles.
Newsom declared a state of emergency on September 29 in response to the Boyles Fire in Lake County, a rural area with approximately 68,000 residents, located about 110 miles away from Sacramento.
Earlier this month, California received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for wildfire management assistance to aid in resource acquisition for firefighting.
The emergency declaration will help residents affected by the fires access unemployment benefits and waive fees for replacing documents such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates. Additionally, it expedites post-fire debris cleanup and hazardous waste disposal.