A trio of wildfires have torched 100,000 acres in Southern California counties, forcing evacuations from fire threats and smoke, and prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom and county leaders to declare states of emergency to marshall firefighting resources.
But the fires highlight another, related crisis: the exodus of major insurance companies from fire-prone parts of California, including regions in San Diego County.
In June the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors pulled the alarm on that problem, calling for the state to declare an emergency over dwindling home insurance options for people in high-risk areas.
That includes lots of places in Inland Empire deserts and mountains, where high heat and dry conditions make wildfire a constant danger. Adding to that, the region’s varied terrain leaves it vulnerable to a host of other calamities, including earthquakes, floods and even blizzards.
So far the Line Fire has burned more than 37,000 acres, forcing evacuations in campgrounds and communities, including Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake and Big Bear.