Current:Home > ScamsWeekend progress made against Southern California wildfires -ChatGPT
Weekend progress made against Southern California wildfires
View
Date:2025-04-17 19:58:45
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters gained further ground over the weekend against three Southern California wildfires as authorities in northern Nevada lifted the last of evacuation orders for all homes Sunday.
More than 8,000 personnel combined are battling the three biggest fires burning in the state, all ignited during a triple-digit heatwave at the start of the month.
The largest blaze is the Bridge Fire at 85 square miles (220 square kilometers), which exploded dramatically through the Angeles National Forest east of Los Angeles at the start of the week. It has torched at least 49 buildings and forced the evacuation of 10,000 people. The fire was 9% contained Sunday morning, with firefighters gaining 4% overnight.
Officials said Sunday the focus continues to be on the northwest flank, where the fire is the most active, but upcoming rain and humidity will aid firefighting efforts.
“That’s not gonna stop this fire, what that is gonna allow is ... operation folks to go out there and be able to get that line constructed,” said fire behavior analyst Garret Hazelton on Saturday.
The Line Fire in Southern California
The Line Fire, which grew slightly overnight to 60 square miles (155 square kilometers) in the San Bernardino Mountains, was 36% contained Sunday.
Officials said it was active in the early morning due to a dry air mass in higher elevations, but cool weather conditions prevailed across the fire area. Light rain was possible late Sunday and into Monday.
Authorities have said a delivery driver purposely started the Line Fire in Southern California on Sept. 5.
Arson-related charges have been filed against Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who is accused of starting the Line Fire. He is due to be arraigned on Monday, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Halstenberg’s mother, Connie Halstenberg, told the Los Angeles Times that her son “did not light that fire.”
The Airport Fire in Southern California
The Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties remained at 37 square miles (96 square kilometers) and 19% containment as of Sunday.
“We’re being helped by the weather and that weather will continue for a couple of days so we’re making good progress,” said Orange County Fire Authority Operations Section Chief Albert Ward.
Firefighting efforts are expected to get a significant boost from thick fog and high humidity Sunday night, and from cooler temperatures and light rain Sunday and Monday, according to the fire authority.
Crews were able to gain access to an area previously blocked by a rock slide. However, the southern edge of the fire is still marked by “very rugged inaccessible country” that will require helicopters to bring crews in or a long hike, Ward said Sunday.
Despite favorable weather, there is still fire risk above 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in elevation, which remains dry. Smoldering vegetation up high can roll downhill and ignite unburned vegetation, the fire authority said.
The Davis fire in northern Nevada
In northern Nevada, Washoe County fire officials say evacuations will be lifted Sunday for all homes — the last of nearly 20,000 evacuees.
The Davis fire was estimated at 77% containment on Sunday.
Officials said the fire now is classified as being in a state of mop-up with many restoration and repair projects underway. More than 600 personnel are currently working the wildland blaze that destroyed 14 homes and burned through nearly 9 square miles (23 square kilometers) of timber and brush along the Sierra Nevada’s eastern slope near Lake Tahoe.
___
Berry reported from Phoenix, Arizona. Rodriguez reported from San Francisco.
veryGood! (42964)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Yes, dogs can understand, link objects to words, researchers say
- Weather is the hot topic as eclipse spectators stake out their spots in US, Mexico and Canada
- An AP photographer works quickly to land a shot from ringside in Las Vegas
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Cargo ship stalled near bridge on NY-NJ border, had to be towed for repairs, officials say
- 'A cosmic masterpiece': Why spectacular sights of solar eclipses never fail to dazzle
- Why does South Carolina's Dawn Staley collect confetti? Tradition started in 2015
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Cole Brings Plenty, 1923 actor, found dead in Kansas days after being reported missing
Ranking
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Before UConn-Purdue, No. 1 seed matchup in title game has happened six times since 2000
- U.K. police investigate spear phishing sexting scam as lawmaker admits to sharing colleagues' phone numbers
- Kevin Costner’s Western epic ‘Horizon, An American Saga’ will premiere at Cannes
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Why do total solar eclipses happen? Learn what will cause today's celestial show.
- In second Texas edition, CMT Awards set pays homage to Austin landmark
- South Carolina-Iowa highlights: Gamecocks top Caitlin Clark for national title
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Car, pickup truck collide on central Wisconsin highway, killing 5
Jelly Roll's private plane makes emergency landing on way to CMT Awards: 'That was scary'
As a Mississippi town reels from a devastating tornado, a displaced family finds its way home
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
A child is dead and 2 adults are hospitalized in a car crash with a semitruck in Idaho, police say
British man claims the crown of the world's oldest man at age 111
Foster children deprived of benefits: How a loophole affects the most vulnerable