California firefighters achieve progress in Los Angeles wild fire containment

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 16: Firefighters across Southern California have made significant strides in their battle against three major wildfires, aided by cooler weather conditions and slowing winds. 

Authorities reported Sunday that over 8,600 firefighters have been working to establish containment lines on all three fires, with notable success overnight.

The largest of these wildfires, the Bridge Fire, burning across Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, has scorched 54,567 acres.

 As of Sunday morning, containment has increased to 9%, up from just 2% the previous day, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Fire crews were able to limit the spread of the fire to around 800 acres overnight, thanks to more favourable weather conditions. 

Despite the progress, the fire remains a serious threat, with at least 11,560 structures still at risk. So far, 19 structures have been destroyed and six more damaged, with two firefighters injured since the fire began on September 8.

The firefighting effort continues as emergency personnel race to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and improve containment before conditions worsen again.

The San Bernardino Fire near LA still not under control -  4000 evacuated in Clearlake near San Fransisco  

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15: The uncontrolled San Bernardino wildfire east of Los Angeles is still not under control, and the steep terrain is making firefighting efforts more difficult.

At least 30 buildings have been destroyed in another fire further north. A thick blanket of dark smoke covers the entire area.

The fire, which spans approximately 7,000 hectares, began on Thursday and continues to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest. Over

600 firefighters are involved in controlling the fire, which is threatening more than 35,000 structures.

The fire burned so intensely over the weekend that it created its own storm-like weather system, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. This could lead to strong gusts of wind and lightning, further worsening the situation.

Firefighters are already struggling with the steep terrain, making it harder to get the blaze under control. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of several nearby communities.

4,000 people were also evacuated  from their homes in Clearlake, 117 kilometers north of San Francisco, after a small wildfire that started on Sunday afternoon spread rapidly. By that time, about 30 homes and commercial buildings had caught fire

ORIGINAL POST ON SEPTEMBER 10: 

71 wildfires burning in the Western US - several large ones near Los Angeles

Three large fires are burning in Southern California and tens of thousands of homes and buildings were under threat as of Tuesday. 30 structures have burned and thousands are under evacuation orders near the Santa Ana Mountains. 

"The Airport Fire":

The Airport Fire in eastern Orange County in Southern California is one of three wildfires still burning across Southern California on Tuesday, as firefighting crews struggle with hot temperatures and dry conditions.

The Orange County Fire Authority named it the Airport Fire after it ignited around 1 p.m. on Monday September 9th near a remote-controlled airplane airfield on Trabuco Creek Road. 

The fire rapidly spread, scorching more than 5,400 acres of hillside vegetation within hours. Despite its rapid growth, the fire spread continue to move away from residential areas.

Overnight, the fire in Trabuco Canyon expanded to 9,000 acres, and by Tuesday afternoon, it had grown to 9,333 acres with 0% containment. 

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for thousands of residents in the Rancho Santa Margarita area, as Trabuco Canyon is located just north of the city in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains.

As the Airport Fire rapidly expanded, the Orange County Fire Authority mobilized approximately 1,000 personnel, including  helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, to contain the fire before it reached residential areas, as reported by CBS News on Tuesday. 

Two OCFA firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries and transported to a local hospital, while a civilian was also hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. All are expected to make a full recovery, according to fire officials.

Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said the fire was caused by a spark from equipment that two county public works employees were using to place barriers on a road, and investigators have classified the fire as accidental. 

"The Bridge Fire":

The "Bridge Fire"  in the Angeles National Forest also continued to burn on Tuesday, with 0% containment. Initially reported at 800 acres on Sunday evening. It rapidly grew to 2,996 acres in less than a day.

The "Line Fire", the largest of the current wildfires, is still burning in San Bernardino County, near Los Angeles.  It started Thursday evening near Base Line and Aplin streets in the city of Highland, quickly spreading from several hundred acres to over 3,000 acres by Friday night.

"The Line Fire" - The largest of the three fires

The Line fire in San Bernardino County, is burning so hot that it has produced its own thunderstorms, LA Times reported on Monday. 

Regional officials warn of hazardous smoke, lightning strikes, hail, strong winds and potential flash floods.

The Line Fire has burned 26,516 acres and was 5% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to what Cal Fire said.

More than 65,000 homes and other man made structures are under threat, as reported by CNN. 

Fire fighting efforts were hampered by erratic wind conditions, smoky air, and limited resources, as reported  by Fire officials on Sunday. 

"The Boyles Fire":

The Boyles Fire are burning southwest of Clearlake, California: By size it is smaller than the three mentioned above, but from a human perspective it has been very destructive. 

At least 30 structures have burned in the fire located about 100 miles west of Sacramento. On Tuesday morning, more than 2,300 residents remained under evacuation orders. 

The "Boyles Fire" so far has burned only 81 acres and is 40% contained, Cal Fire said.

71 active wild fires in Western United States

Officials report that 71 active large wildfires across the western United States have burned over 2 million acres. Emergency declarations have been issued throughout the region. 

Residents not under evacuation orders are facing power outages, closed schools, and canceled events due to the fires and extreme heat. 

The majority of fires have been west of the Mississippi River, including in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, according to the federal government’s National Fire Information Center.