Additional Coverage:
- Firefighters make progress in battling Southern California wildfires amid cooler weather (newsbreak.com)
**Southern California Wildfires Show Progress in Containment Efforts, Thanks to Cooler Weather**
Cooler weather conditions have enabled over 8,600 emergency personnel to fortify containment lines around three significant wildfires in Southern California. These fires have charred tens of thousands of acres, caused evacuations, and destroyed numerous structures across the region.
As of Sunday, the most extensive fire — the Bridge Fire, affecting Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties — had burned over 54,000 acres, according to Cal Fire. Since igniting on September 8, the fire has destroyed at least 49 structures and poses a threat to more than 12,000 others.
Firefighters made notable progress overnight in establishing and strengthening containment lines, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service on Sunday. By Sunday night, the Bridge Fire was 9% contained, with over 2,600 firefighters actively battling the blaze.
“Last night, firefighters continued to establish and strengthen direct containment lines while creating secondary contingency lines using bulldozers and hand crews,” stated the U.S. Forest Service in a Sunday update.
Helicopters were unable to operate due to reduced visibility caused by a smoke inversion layer. Despite this, containment on the fire’s southern flank increased by 4%.
Evacuation orders were reduced in some areas on Sunday, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office. Residents in San Antonio Heights, for instance, were allowed to return home.
However, other regions, including East Fork communities, Mt. Baldy Road, and areas from Highway 138 to the northern border of San Antonio Heights, along with Wrightwood community, remained under evacuation orders.
Authorities reported that only two firefighters have been injured and the cause of the Bridge Fire continues to be investigated.
Meanwhile, a combined force of over 6,000 emergency personnel is tackling two additional fires in San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties.
**’Smoky Conditions Can Be Hazardous’: Wildfire Impact Extends Beyond Southern California**
**Line Fire**
The Line Fire, the second largest wildfire in San Bernardino County, had grown to more than 38,800 acres by Sunday night, according to Cal Fire. Over 4,000 personnel increased containment from 29% on Saturday evening to 42% by Sunday night.
This fire, which began on September 5, poses a threat to approximately 36,400 structures and has already destroyed at least one, while damaging four others. Three firefighters have been injured so far.
A Norco, California man, 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, has been accused of starting the fire and faces multiple charges, including aggravated arson and arson causing great bodily injury.
Cal Fire reported that the Line Fire was particularly active early Sunday due to a dry air mass in upper elevations. They noted, “The fire smoldered and crept on the ground in the lower elevations under the marine layer. Cool conditions prevail across the fire area, with the possibility of light rain late Sunday into Monday.”
Evacuation orders remained for some areas, including all undeveloped land east of Highway 330, and the San Bernardino National Forest, including the San Gorgonio Wilderness, remains closed to the public.
**Airport Fire**
As of Sunday night, the Airport Fire, burning in Orange and Riverside counties, saw containment expand from 9% to 19%, as reported by Cal Fire. This blaze, which started on September 9, has scorched over 23,000 acres and threatens more than 20,700 structures.
It has destroyed at least 160 structures and damaged 34 more. Fourteen people, including 12 firefighters and two civilians, have been injured.
The cause of the Airport Fire is still under investigation; however, officials speculate that an Orange County Public Works crew accidentally sparked the blaze while moving boulders with heavy equipment.
Cal Fire noted that the weather forecast, featuring cooler temperatures, thick fog, high humidity, and light rain, is favorable for firefighting efforts. “While the weather has been favorable with cooler temperatures, drizzle, and light showers, Modjeska Peak remains dry, with the risk of surface fires above 4,000 feet. Smoldering vegetation at higher elevations still poses a threat due to its potential to roll downhill and ignite unburned vegetation.”
Various zones in Orange and Riverside counties remained under evacuation orders, including Caspers Regional Park, San Juan Springs, and Blue Jay Campground.
**Cooler Temperatures Aid Relief in Southern California**
The National Weather Service in San Diego, covering areas such as San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, announced a low-pressure system moving into the region late Sunday into Monday. This system has already brought cooler-than-average temperatures over the weekend.
Cooler temperatures will persist throughout the week, starting with a “much cooler and wet” Monday with gusty winds in mountain and desert areas. There is also a chance of light rain Monday morning from the coast to the mountains.
“Monday will be the coolest day in some areas since early June, or in the deserts, even since May,” the weather service stated on Sunday. “Highs will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s in most areas west of the mountains and only in the 80s in the lower deserts.”
**Contributing: Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press**