Three major wildfires in Southern California have expanded dramatically, burning over 100,000 acres and threatening tens of thousands of structures. The Bridge Fire, now the largest active wildfire in California at nearly 48,000 acres, has destroyed at least 33 homes in Mount Baldy and Wrightwood, and damaged the Mountain High ski resort. ‘All the main lifts and buildings survived with little to no damage’ at Mountain High Resorts, according to a Facebook post.The Line Fire has burned nearly 35,000 acres and is at 14% containment. A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting this fire. The Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties has burned over 22,000 acres, destroying dozens of homes in El Cariso Village and Decker Canyon.The fires have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, with at least a dozen people reported injured. Erin Arias, a 39-year-old teacher from Wrightwood, described the situation as ‘absolutely scary’ as she and her husband doused water on the roof of their still-standing home.Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and secured federal funds to combat the fires. ‘The situation is dire,’ said authorities, as multiple fires burn within sight of each other. The fires are being fueled by tinder-dry scrub and gusting winds during a severe heatwave, with climate scientists warning of potential escalation in the coming months.Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA, stated, ‘The odds definitely favor a continuation — and maybe even an escalation — of Southern California fire season over the next couple of months’. Experts warn that the danger will likely worsen due to the impending arrival of hot Santa Ana winds and two years of overgrown vegetation.As firefighters continue to battle the blazes, the impact on air quality remains a significant concern. Smoke from the fires will continue to affect air quality in parts of the region, with some school districts closing and commercial flights being suspended.
Key points
- Three major wildfires in Southern California have burned over 100,000 acres, threatening tens of thousands of structures.
- The Bridge Fire, now the largest at nearly 48,000 acres, has destroyed homes and damaged the Mountain High ski resort.
- Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and secured federal funds to combat the fires.
- Climate scientists warn of potential escalation in fire activity in the coming months.
Contradictions👾While most sources report significant damage to the Mountain High ski resort, a Facebook post claims that ‘All the main lifts and buildings survived with little to no damage’.
This contradiction may be due to incomplete information or varying assessments of the damage.
