35,000 Homes and Buildings Under Threat from Wildfire East of LA
A wildfire east of Los Angeles poses a significant threat to approximately 35,000 homes and structures.
TroibNews 
A massive wildfire, driven by a prolonged heatwave, erupted in the foothills of a national forest to the east of Los Angeles, leading to the evacuation of numerous residents and putting thousands of structures at risk.
The wildfire, nicknamed the Line Fire, ignited along the borders of the San Bernardino National Forest, situated approximately 105 kilometers east of Los Angeles. By Sunday morning, the fire had ravaged around 70 square kilometers of terrain, consisting of grass and chaparral, and produced a dense haze of smoke over the region.
On Saturday, the intensity of the fire was such that it spawned weather patterns similar to a thunderstorm, posing additional hazards like strong winds and potential lightning. The firefighters contended with the rugged landscape, which hindered their efforts to manage the fire, leaving it uncontained by Sunday afternoon.
Officials reported that the fire posed a threat to over 35,000 structures, including various residential and commercial properties. They anticipated that the forecasted thunderstorms might complicate the firefighting efforts.
The fire affected communities nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, an area frequented by Southern Californians for skiing in winter and mountain biking in the summer, with Running Springs en route to the well-known ski destination of Big Bear.
Simultaneously, a smaller fire in Clearlake City, located 187 kilometers north of San Francisco, prompted evacuations for about 4,000 individuals while damaging homes and businesses. Despite the challenge, firefighters were making progress by Sunday afternoon.
To combat the wildfire in San Bernardino County, reinforcements of firefighters were expected. State authorities noted the critically dry vegetation and the weekend temperatures, which soared above 38 degrees Celsius, creating prime conditions for the fire's spread. The fire began on Thursday evening, with its cause still under investigation.
In efforts to control the fire, over 600 personnel were deployed, aided by aircraft including helicopters that dropped water over the affected areas.
Observers reported seeing the intense smoke and flames overtaking the hillside ridges.
In a related weather update, the National Weather Service recorded a high of 44 degrees Celsius in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, a rare occurrence since temperature records began in 1877.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The wildfire, nicknamed the Line Fire, ignited along the borders of the San Bernardino National Forest, situated approximately 105 kilometers east of Los Angeles. By Sunday morning, the fire had ravaged around 70 square kilometers of terrain, consisting of grass and chaparral, and produced a dense haze of smoke over the region.
On Saturday, the intensity of the fire was such that it spawned weather patterns similar to a thunderstorm, posing additional hazards like strong winds and potential lightning. The firefighters contended with the rugged landscape, which hindered their efforts to manage the fire, leaving it uncontained by Sunday afternoon.
Officials reported that the fire posed a threat to over 35,000 structures, including various residential and commercial properties. They anticipated that the forecasted thunderstorms might complicate the firefighting efforts.
The fire affected communities nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, an area frequented by Southern Californians for skiing in winter and mountain biking in the summer, with Running Springs en route to the well-known ski destination of Big Bear.
Simultaneously, a smaller fire in Clearlake City, located 187 kilometers north of San Francisco, prompted evacuations for about 4,000 individuals while damaging homes and businesses. Despite the challenge, firefighters were making progress by Sunday afternoon.
To combat the wildfire in San Bernardino County, reinforcements of firefighters were expected. State authorities noted the critically dry vegetation and the weekend temperatures, which soared above 38 degrees Celsius, creating prime conditions for the fire's spread. The fire began on Thursday evening, with its cause still under investigation.
In efforts to control the fire, over 600 personnel were deployed, aided by aircraft including helicopters that dropped water over the affected areas.
Observers reported seeing the intense smoke and flames overtaking the hillside ridges.
In a related weather update, the National Weather Service recorded a high of 44 degrees Celsius in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, a rare occurrence since temperature records began in 1877.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
