Southern California Battles Triple Threat of Wildfires as Airport Fire Engulfs Thousands of Acres
Southern Californi is facing a wildfire crisis as three major blazes continue to rage across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, fueled by scorching temperatures and dry conditions, CBS News reports.
The Airport Fire, burning in Trabuco Canyon, has become the most concerning, rapidly expanding overnight to engulf nearly 20,000 acres and remaining 0% contained.
The fire, which ignited near a remote-controlled airplane airport on Monday afternoon, has forced thousands of residents in Rancho Santa Margarita and surrounding areas to evacuate. Mandatory evacuation orders have been expanded to include homes in Riverside County as the blaze advances towards Lake Elsinore.
“This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately,” officials with Cal Fire, or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, urged residents.
The Airport Fire has already destroyed several homes, leaving many families displaced. The blaze’s rapid spread has overwhelmed firefighting efforts, and crews are battling intense heat and dry vegetation.
Meanwhile, the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest continues to burn, surpassing 34,000 acres and remaining 0% contained. The blaze, which started on Sunday, grew from 800 acres to nearly 3,000 acres in less than 24 hours.
The Line Fire, the largest of the three, is raging in San Bernardino County and has charred nearly 33,000 acres. The blaze began on Thursday evening in Highland and has spread rapidly despite the efforts of over 1,000 firefighters, including surge strike teams deployed to the Lake Elsinore area.
As the fires continue to burn, concerns over air quality and potential health risks for residents are mounting. Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to stay informed about evacuation orders and air quality updates.
