The so-called Line Fire in Southern California is putting tens of thousands of buildings and even more people in danger as it rages out of control in the foothills on the east side of Los Angeles.
The fire is burning in a national forest on the inland side of the city, and a heatwave with temperatures above 100 degrees is making matters worse. So far three firefighters have taken injuries and about 35,000 buildings are in danger of being swallowed up by the blaze. These include stand-alone houses and multi-unit apartment buildings. Several areas of the city of angels are under evacuation orders.
On Sunday September 9, the Line Fire was blazing at the perimeter of the San Bernardino national forest, which is about 1 hours’ drive east of Los Angeles. By mid-morning the fire had claimed 27 square miles of grassland, choking the area and everyone downwind with smoke.
Firefighters in charge of the operations warn that thunderstorms moving into the area will only make the situation worse as lightning strikes can set off new fires. They say the lack of moisture in the air and the high temperatures are going to make work for firefighters especially grueling this week.
Officials for San Bernardino county declared an emergency on Saturday, September 8, and ordered evacuations in Arrowbear Lake, Running Springs, and several inhabited areas located to the east of Highway 330. Governor Gavin Newsom backed up the local declaration with an emergency declaration for the county the same day.
With temperatures going higher than 100, and a streak of very low humidity (which is common in Southern California), the vegetation and brush are ready to explode into flames at the slightest provocation. The Line Fire began on Thursday, September 5, and officials are not yet sure what touched it off.
There are more than 600 personnel fighting the fires, and support is coming in from the air as helicopters and planes carry water and drop it on trees and homes below. So far, no homes or buildings have been damaged. Many area schools are closed.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in downtown LA hit 112 F last week, only the third time the thermometer has gone that high since 1877.
Local station KTLA has continually updated coverage of the fire.
