San Bernardino, California: A rapidly spreading wildfire east of Los Angeles has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. The ‘Line Fire’ has burned over 32 square miles of dry vegetation in the foothills of the San Bernardino National Forest.
The wildfire is impacting areas near small mountain towns in the San Bernardino National Forest, a region popular with Southern California residents for skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. Running Springs, one of the affected towns, lies along the route to the well-known Big Bear ski resort.
The fire, which started on earlier has been fuelled by a brutal heatwave that sent temperatures soaring into triple digits, making firefighting efforts even more challenging. State and county officials have declared an emergency, citing extreme conditions such as strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity that have allowed the blaze to grow rapidly.
Take a look at our fire activity update for September 9, 2024! For more information on active statewide incidents, visit https://t.co/fJhhKfaaAY. pic.twitter.com/puHVGbbscE
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 9, 2024
The U.S. Forest Service asserts that the Line Fire is only 3% contained and threatens over 36,000 buildings, which include a mix of residential properties, such as single- and multi-family homes, as well as commercial structures.
The National Weather Service reported record-breaking temperatures in Los Angeles, which reached 111°F (44°C) generated towering pyroculumus clouds, which resemble thunderstorm systems. These clouds contributed to worsening conditions, such as powerful winds and lightning strikes, making firefighting efforts even more difficult.
Around 500 firefighters, along with aircraft and water-dropping helicopters, are battling the flames during which some of them were injured. However, mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for affected communities.
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