Aided by favorable weather conditions, firefighters continue to increase containment of three large wildfires in Southern California that have burned more than 117,000 acres, destroyed 242 structures and left 24 people injured.
A late-summer heat wave fueled conditions for explosive growth, but cooler-than-normal temperatures and higher humidity in recent days have helped fire crews get the upper hand on the wildfires, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
The Bridge Fire, which has burned more than 54,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, remains the largest active fire in California. But the blaze, which began Sept. 8 in the Angeles National Forest, was 69% contained as of Sunday, according to an update from Cal Fire.
Officials said crews are continuing to extinguish the fire on the southern flank of the blaze. Aircraft will use retardant and water to contain the remainder of the blaze.
“Smoke may be visible in the interior areas where the fire is located, which is expected due to the current warming and drying climate trend, and crews will investigate the smoke and extinguish isolated heat sources,” Cal Fire’s update stated.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Roads and trails in the Angeles National Forest affected by the Bridge Fire, including some areas near Mt. Baldy and Wrightwood, will remain closed through Dec. 31, 2025, to “facilitate the recovery of natural resources and the landscape,” officials said.
According to Cal Fire, the Line Fire, which spans 39,232 acres in San Bernardino County, had reached 60% of its containment capacity as of Sunday. Three firefighters were injured shortly after the blaze began Sept. 5. At least one home in Running Springs was destroyed and three other buildings were damaged, according to officials.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, of Norco, was arrested Sept. 10 in connection with the Line fire after traffic cameras and automatic license plate readers helped identify a white truck that ultimately led them to Halstenberg, authorities said.
According to authorities, he is accused of setting several fires before starting the Line fire. He faces 11 counts of arson, including using incendiary devices to start fires, aggravated arson and causing serious bodily injury. The latter two felonies carry a combined prison sentence of up to 19 years to life.
Halstenberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After burning 23,519 acres in Orange and Riverside counties, the Airport Fire, which began Sept. 9, is now 74% contained. Officials said in an update Sunday that “heat sources remain scarce around the fire perimeter” and drones are being used to locate “hot spots in unforgiving terrain.”
An unintentional spark from heavy equipment sparked the fire, authorities said.
