Southern California Devastated by Three Major Wildfires

Three Southern California wildfires have destroyed dozens of homes, impacted a ski resort, and forced thousands to evacuate. The largest fire, the Bridge Fire, has burned 48,000 acres, while the Airport Fire and Line Fire have also caused extensive damage. Cooler temperatures are expected later in the week.

Three wildfires in Southern California have incinerated dozens of mountain homes, ravaged a popular ski resort, and forced thousands to evacuate, officials said Wednesday. Approximately 40 homes and cabins were reduced to ashes in Mount Baldy and Wrightwood villages, with flames damaging lifts at the nearby Mountain High ski resort, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The inferno in San Bernardino County, dubbed the Bridge Fire, surged to 48,000 acres within 48 hours, making it the state's largest blaze this year. By Wednesday afternoon, the trio of fires had scorched over 105,000 acres of scrub, brush, and forest—an expanse equivalent to a third of Los Angeles. 'This is the fire with the most dramatic single-day impact in recent history,' stated Fred Fielding, an LAFD spokesman, as flames raged on a nearby hillside.

Wrightwood resident Mike Devestern, 55, described the fire's rapid advance and the ensuing chaos as residents fled on Tuesday. 'It was like a movie yesterday,' he recounted. 'Everyone was trying to escape before getting caught in the flames.'

In Orange and Riverside counties, the Airport Fire obliterated dozens of homes in El Cariso Village and Decker Canyon, expanding to over 23,000 acres, according to officials and local news reports. 'There was no other way out; we had to drive through the fire,' recounted Ryan LaMothe, whose home was destroyed, to KTLA5.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and announced securing federal funds to combat the fires. Bone-dry scrub and gusty winds have fueled the flames, which have been exacerbated by a severe heatwave scientists attribute to climate change. Over a dozen injuries among civilians and firefighters have been reported, with cooler conditions anticipated later in the week.

Residents sealed gaps around their doors, and schools in at least ten districts shut down due to smoke from another blaze in San Bernardino County, the Line Fire. A 34-year-old man was arrested for allegedly igniting the fire on Sept. 5.

Approximately 18,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in neighborhoods bordering the San Bernardino mountains. Authorities patrolled the largely abandoned areas to thwart potential looting.

Although wildfires are common in California, increased residential development has hindered firefighters' ability to manage the flames effectively. New homeowners often struggle to secure fire insurance, and the region's burned acreage this year has already doubled compared to 2023, according to CAL FIRE.

The U.S. overall is experiencing a severe wildfire season, with 6.9 million acres burned to date, nearly matching the average annual total over the past decade, per National Interagency Fire Center data.

(With inputs from agencies.)