California is only now confronting the height of wildfire season but already has seen nearly three times as much acreage burn than during all of last year.
FILE - Smoke from the Line Fire fills the air Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs, Calif. RUNNING SPRINGS, Calif. — In the Southern California mountain town of Running Springs, residents live between two scenic lake resorts — a seemingly serene spot but one also caught between the swings of devastating winter snowstorms and menacing summer wildfires.
Much of this, Rynard said, “comes with the territory” and is part of living in a beautiful area that is home to year-round residents and attracts ski enthusiasts and summer tourists. He added that long-time residents have told him the massive wildfires are cyclical, much like the snow. The Line Fire is burning through dense vegetation that grew after two back-to-back wet winters that included snowstorms that caused tree branches to break, leaving behind a lot of “dead and down fuel,” said Cal Fire Operations Section Chief Jed Gaines. While it forced the evacuations from Running Springs, another wildfire threatened the mountain community of Wrightwood about a 50-mile drive to the west.
Jason Anderson, district attorney for San Bernardino County, said Thursday that nine arson-related charges have been filed against the suspect arrested earlier in the week and accused of starting the Line Fire. Anderson said he finds arson especially “despicable” because the suspect gains nothing and families are thrown into despair running from their homes.
The Airport Fire in Orange County, which has burned more than 36 square miles . The fire was 5% contained Thursday morning and was reportedly sparked by workers using heavy equipment in the area. Ten firefighters and two residents suffered injuries in the blaze, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The fire has been difficult to tame because of the steep terrain and dry conditions — and because some areas hadn’t burned in decades.
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