Firefighters in California are gaining the upper hand on three major wildfires burning in the mountains east of Los Angeles, thanks to cooler weather. The wildfires have destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate. California has already seen nearly three times as much acreage burn this year compared to all of 2023. No deaths have been reported, but at least a dozen people, mostly firefighters, have been treated for injuries.
The Bridge Fire in Wrightwood has burned over a dozen homes, prompting authorities to urge residents to flee. The fire moved quickly across complex terrain, giving residents less time to evacuate than usual. Residents like Erin Arias were forced to evacuate, grabbing essential items like passports and pets. The fire has burned at least 33 homes and six cabins, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people.
In addition to the Bridge Fire, other major blazes include the Airport Fire in Orange County and the Line Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. The Airport Fire has burned over 35 square miles, while the Line Fire has charred 57 square miles. The fires have injured several firefighters, with the Line Fire being attributed to arson.
While firefighters are making progress on containing the fires, the full extent of the damage is still unclear. Authorities are continuing to work to protect homes and structures while tackling the blazes.
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