Firefighters make progress in battling Southern California wildfires amid cooler weather

Firefighters make progress in battling Southern California wildfires amid cooler weather Thousands of firefighters strengthened containment lines around three wildfires in Southern California over the weekend as temperatures dropped. Show Caption Hide Caption Three wildfires rage simultaneously in California Three destructive fires are blazing through California at the same time, causing evacuations and a state of emergency. Cooler weather has helped more than 8,600 emergency personnel strengthen containment lines around three major wildfires in Southern California that have burned tens of thousands of acres, forcing evacuations and destroying dozens of structures across the region. By Sunday, the largest blaze — the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties — scorched over 54,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Since the fire began on Sept. 8, it has destroyed at least 49 structures and threatened more than 12,000 other structures. Firefighters made progress overnight, working to establish and strengthen containment lines around the flames, the U.S. Forest Service said Sunday. As of Sunday night, the Bridge Fire was 9% contained as over 2,600 firefighters battled the blaze. “Last night, firefighters continued establishing and strengthening direct containment lines while constructing secondary contingency lines with dozers and hand crews throughout the fire area. Helicopters could not fly last night due to the smoke inversion layer hampering visibility,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a Sunday update. “Despite this, firefighters gained 4% containment on the fire’s southern flank.” Evacuation warnings and orders were scaled back in some areas on Sunday, including residents who were cleared to return to their homes in San Antonio Heights, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said. Baldy Road, the area from Highway 138 south to the northern border of San Antonio Heights, and Wrightwood community, remained under evacuation, according to Cal Fire. Only 2 firefighters have been injured and the cause of the Bridge Fire remains under investigation, authorities said Sunday. ‘Smoky conditions can be hazardous’: Southern California wildfires affect tens of millions from miles away with toxic air Line Fire The Line Fire, the second largest blaze burning in San Bernardino county, was more than 38,800 acres in size as of Sunday night, according to Cal Fire. Over 4,000 fire personnel increased the fire’s containment from 29% on Saturday evening to 42% on Sunday night. The blaze, which started Sept. 5, has threatened about 36,400 structures — destroying at least one and damaging four others, Cal Fire said. In an update Sunday afternoon, Cal Fire said the Line Fire was active early Sunday due to a dry airmass in the upper elevations. Late Sunday and into Monday, light rain is possible,” Cal Fire said. Airport Fire As of Sunday night, over 2,200 fire personnel battling the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties expanded containment from 9% to 19%, according to Cal Fire. So far, the wildfire has destroyed at least 160 structures and damaged an additional 34, Cal Fire said in an update Sunday night. A total of 14 people have been injured due to the blaze, including 12 firefighters and two civilians. Officials are further investigating the cause of the fire but have said the fire was likely accidentally started by an Orange County Public Works crew moving boulders into place with heavy equipment, according to The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network. Cal Fire noted that the weather forecast — such as thick fog, high humidity, light rain and cool temperatures — for the next few days is “favorable for firefighting efforts.” “While the weather has been favorable with cooler temperatures, drizzle, and light showers, Modjeska Peak remains dry, and there is a risk of surface fires above 4,000 feet,” Cal Fire said. Cool temperatures bring relief to Southern California The National Weather Service in San Diego, which serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, said a low-pressure system moving into the region late Sunday into Monday has already brought lower-than-average temperatures over the weekend. “Monday will be the coolest day in some areas since early June, or in the deserts, even since May,” the weather service said Sunday. – This Summarize was created by Neural News AI (V1). Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/15/southern-california-wildfires-containment/75239886007/