Wildfires scorch southern California hillside homes

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Wildfires scorch southern California hillside homes

Three major wildfires in southern California expanded dramatically – burning homes, cars and horse stables in hillside communities and injuring at least a dozen people, officials say.

In the tight-knit community of Wrightwood, trees burned behind homes as authorities implored residents to evacuate the exploding Bridge *****.

The wildfires have been endangering tens of thousands of homes and other structures across the region after they sprung to life during a heatwave that finally broke on Wednesday. Other major fires were burning across the west, including in Idaho, Oregon and Nevada, where about 20,000 people had to flee a blaze outside Reno.

California is only now heading into the teeth of the wildfire season but already has seen nearly three times as much acreage ***** than during all of 2023.

The White House said US President Joe Biden was monitoring the wildfires in the west and urged residents to heed state and local evacuation orders.

The extent of the damage was not immediately known as firefighters battled multiple fires simultaneously. The three blazes include:

The Airport ***** in Orange County that burned nearly 91 square kilometres, leaving in its wake charred cars and rubble and pushing into neighbouring Riverside County. The ***** was uncontained on Wednesday and was reportedly sparked by heavy equipment operating in the area.

Orange County ***** captain Steve Concialdi said eight firefighters were injured, mostly heat-related.

The Line ***** in the San Bernardino National Forest charred 140 square kilometres and injured three firefighters. Authorities said it was caused by arson with a suspect arrested.

The Bridge ***** east of Los Angeles that grew tenfold in a day, burning 194 square kilometres and scorching homes in the community of Wrightwood. The cause of the ***** was not immediately known. It was uncontained on Wednesday morning.

Los Angeles County ***** Chief Anthony Marrone said at least 33 homes and six cabins have been destroyed by the Bridge *****. The blaze is currently threatening 2500 buildings in a region strapped for personnel with so many fires raging at once, he said.

“As a region, we’re currently at drawdown for ***** personnel and resources,” he said, adding that authorities have requested assistance from northern California and nearby states.

In San Bernardino County, evacuation orders included parts of the popular ski town Big Bear. Some 65,600 homes and buildings were under threat by the Line ***** and residents along the southern edge of Big Bear Lake, a popular destination for anglers, mountain bikers and hikers, were told to leave.

The blaze blanketed the area with a thick cloud of dark smoke, which provided shade for firefighters trying to get ahead of winds expected later on Wednesday, said Fabian Herrera, a spokesperson for the Line *****.

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