In recent days, residents of Southern California surrounded by high temperatures and wildfires have been living as if in a furnace. Residents of Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County have all received emergency evacuation orders.
As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday (September 10th), the three major wildfires in Southern California have rapidly spread: the “Line Fire” in San Bernardino County, the “Airport Fire” in Orange County, and the “Bridge Fire” in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, forming a “fire triangle” on the map.
Multiple wildfires burning simultaneously have destroyed at least 80,000 acres (over 300 square kilometers) of land, threatening more than 60,000 homes. The wildfires have also led to several injuries requiring medical treatment, with residents in various areas, including Chinatown, being forced to evacuate.
The “Airport Fire” that broke out in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County on the afternoon of September 9th has now threatened residents in Riverside County. The fire has consumed 19,028 acres of land in less than 30 hours and is burning fiercely to the south and east of the highway, with the current containment rate at 0%.
Investigators note that this wildfire was sparked by a public works employee accidentally generating sparks while using heavy equipment. The high temperatures and winds during the late summer have further intensified the flames.
Due to the uncontrollable blaze, residents of Trabuco Canyon and Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County have been urgently evacuated, with some communities receiving evacuation warnings. Residents in dozens of areas in Riverside County have also received evacuation orders or warnings, leading to the temporary closure of some schools.
Authorities have temporarily closed both sides of Highway 138 from Exit 245 to Exit 220. Local residents can obtain the latest information through notifications from the police department, fire department, and local government.
With the increasing threat of wildfires, a long-term care center has been set up at the community center in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County. A large animal shelter has been opened at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Riverside County has established a temporary shelter at Santiago High School in Corona.
The “Line Fire,” which has forced over 6,000 residents to evacuate, continues to burn out of control. As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, the fire has consumed 27,974 acres of land and is closing in on Big Bear Lake Resort, with a containment rate of just 14%.
The governor has declared a state of emergency in the area, with over 2,000 firefighters from various local, state, and federal agencies working to contain the fires.
As the fires continue to grow, local emergency evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. Additionally, the San Bernardino County Fire Department advises residents to be prepared for evacuation at any time. The threat to homes is escalating, with 65,600 homes at risk.
Many residents in the Chinese community in the San Gabriel Valley woke up to find the “Bridge Fire” in their “backyard” burning even more intensely. The fire has now consumed 34,240 acres of land with a containment rate of 0%.
Currently, residents of Camp Williams Resort in the East Fork communities, neighboring River communities, Mt. Baldy Resort from the dam to the first peak in Los Angeles County, and the Wrightwood community have all been urgently evacuated.
Los Angeles County has designated the Hacienda Heights Community Center and the Jesse Turner Health and Fitness Community Center in Fontana as temporary shelters.
After several days of burning, residents are feeling the air thick with smoke and ash from the wildfires infiltrating their homes.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection states that strong winds and low humidity have contributed to the spread of the fires. There have been no reports of casualties, and the cause of the fires is still under investigation.