Evacuations ordered as Line Fire flares up again; progress seen with other wildfires
More than 1 million acres have burned during the current California wildfire season, which includes Sunday's flare-up of the Line Fire during hot weather in San Bernardino County.
Cal Fire Tuesday reported 6,528 wildfires this season, with 1,001,993 acres burned, 1,433 structures destroyed, and 254 structures damaged. The total number of fatalities remains at one person, who was a civilian.
There are currently five wildfires, according to Cal Fire. The latest is the 17-acre Ridge Fire, which started Sunday in Santa Barbara County.
Further south, many of the residents affected by the Airport Fire are planning to sue Orange County. Emily Pincin with the Kent Pincin law firm estimates her office is representing several hundred clients in separate lawsuits, according to ABC7 in Los Angeles.
The Airport Fire destroyed or damaged nearly 200 structures, and Cal Fire said it is 95% contained.
The fire was started by Orange County Public Works Department crews using heavy machinery on Sept. 9. The Orange County Fire Authority ruled the cause accidental, but Pincin said the county was negligent and the fire was avoidable.
Orange County didn't comment on the lawsuits in the ABC7 story but has a website with resources for those affected by the blaze: https://www.ocgov.com/recovery.
Elsewhere, the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest is 98% contained, according to Cal Fire. The Coffee Pot Fire in the Sequoia National Forest is 93% contained.
Line Fire Tuesday update: Location, size, containment, evacuations
Location: San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles. At the edge of San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake
Size: 44,046 acres (as of 8:56 a.m. Oct. 1)
Cause: Arson, according to Cal Fire.
Containment: 76% (as of 8:56 a.m. on Oct. 1). The fire made a run up the Santa Ana River drainage Monday, according to Cal Fire's latest report. The rapid fire spread happened during hot weather, and factors included dry vegetation, lack of moisture in the air, wind and steep slopes. But firefighters are making progress in the community of Angelus Oaks, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua told ABC7 Los Angeles.
Evacuation order: Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks
Evacuation warnings: Boulder Bay area of Big Bear (from the dam east to Wildrose Lane) and the community of Big Bear Lake, including Moonridge, Sugarloaf and south Erwin Lake.
Road closures: Highway 330 from Highland Avenue to Live Oaks and parts of Highway 38. Highway 18 is open for evacuees from Big Bear on both sides.
Forest closure: San Bernardino National Forest has closed lands, trails and roads within an area around the fire.
Bridge Fire Tuesday update: Location, size, containment
Location: Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties
Size: 54,878 acres (as of 7:47 a.m. Oct. 1)
Started: Sept. 8
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 98% (as of 7:47 a.m. Oct. 1). Cal Fire reports 81 structures were destroyed and 17 structures were damaged. Teams have completed damage inspections. Residents can learn more at prepare.sbcounty.gov/bridge-fire/External Link and https://recovery.lacounty.gov/bridgefire.
Forest closure: The Angeles National Forest has issued an order closing the Bridge Fire Area from Sept. 21, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025. The orders covers National Forest System roads, trails and other facilities affected by the fire.
Airport Fire Saturday update: Location, size, containment
Location: Cleveland National Forest at the rugged eastern edge of Orange County, Trabuco and Rose canyons, Orange and Riverside counties
Size: 23,526 acres (as of 12:24 p.m. Sept. 28)
Started: Sept. 9
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 95% (as of 12:24 p.m. Sept. 28). According to the latest Cal Fire report, the fire remains within containment lines. Infrared drones have detected isolated smoldering areas, which crews are monitoring. All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
Road closures: Trabuco Creek Road, Main Springs Road, North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway, Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway. Highway 74 is now open, but Cal Fire advises motorists to slow down to a safe speed for crews doing repair work.
Forest closure: The Cleveland National Forest has closed the Trabuco Ranger District from Sept. 18, 2024, until Sept. 17, 2025. For more information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727.
Coffee Pot Fire Friday update: Location, size, containment
Location: Southwest corner of Sequoia National Park, east of Fresno, Tulare County
Size: 14,104 acres (as of 8:16 p.m. Sept. 27)
Started: 8:05 a.m. Aug. 3
Cause: Lightning, according to Cal Fire
Containment: 93% (as of 8:16 p.m. Sept. 27). Evacuation warnings have been issued for some areas. The fire is burning in steeped rugged terrain, according to Cal Fire's latest status report. "Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy," Cal Fire said.
Road closures: Along Mineral King Road, between Oak Grove and the national park boundary. Highway 198 and the Generals Highway in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are open.
Other closures: The Bureau of Land Management has closed the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area. The portion of South Fork Road in Sequoia National Park and trails accessed from the road, including the Lady Bug and Garfield Grove trails, are closed until further notice.
Ridge Fire Monday update: Location, size, containment
Location: Santa Barbara County, northeast of Cuarta Road and Hollister Ranch.
Size: 17 acres (as of 1:06 p.m. Sept. 30)
Started: 8:30 a.m. Sept. 29
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 30% (as of 1:06 p.m. Sept. 30)
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Evacuations ordered as Line Fire flares up; progress seen elsewhere