An out-of-control wildfire raged in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles on Sunday, putting tens of thousands of homes and buildings at risk, amid a days-long heatwave that has pushed temperatures into triple digits across the region.
State fire officials said three firefighters were injured and more than 35,000 structures, including single-family homes, apartment complexes and commercial buildings, were at risk. Authorities ordered evacuations in several areas. Thunderstorms expected later in the day could make conditions even worse.
The so-called Line Fire was burning along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. As of Sunday morning, the blaze had scorched about 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) of grassland and brush and blanketed the area with thick, black smoke.
“Afternoon thunderstorms may ignite new fires and impact operations around the fires,” the state fire marshal’s office said in an update Sunday morning. “Hot, dry weather with thunderstorms is expected to be challenging for firefighters over the next few days.”
County officials declared a state of emergency Saturday night and issued evacuation orders for Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, areas east of Highway 330 and other areas.
“Extreme temperatures, high winds and lightning caused the fire to grow rapidly,” the county said in a statement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday night.
More firefighters are expected to arrive on the scene on Sunday. State officials said vegetation in the area is extremely dry, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) on Saturday and low relative humidity creating ideal conditions for the fire to spread.
The fire broke out Thursday evening and the cause remains under investigation.
More than 600 firefighters were battling the blaze, with help from water-dropping helicopters and other aircraft that hovered above homes and hills, according to the state fire marshal’s office. Fire officials did not immediately respond to a request Sunday for more information about the three injured firefighters.
The fire sent thick smoke billowing into the air and flames could be seen reaching the top of the hill ridge.
No homes or other buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Temperatures in downtown Los Angeles rose to 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius) on Friday, the third-highest temperature recorded since 1877, according to the National Weather Service.
Experts say the increased intensity of wildfires in recent years is partly due to a hotter, drier landscape amid an ongoing climate crisis caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels.
Guardian staff contributed reporting