Wildfires force thousands to evacuate in California and Nevada

Wildfires in California and Nevada are forcing thousands to evacuate as firefighters battle the flames in near 100-degree heat. Here are the latest updates:

Over 60 large wildfires are active, burning more than 2 million acres across the western US, leading to emergency declarations. Those not evacuating face power outages, school closures, and cancelled events, including a performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

As summer ends in the Northern Hemisphere, the western US is experiencing both wildfires and record high temperatures.

By Monday morning, 67 large fires had burned approximately 2,146,170 acres, mainly west of the Mississippi River. States affected include Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, according to the National Fire Information Center.

Wildfires in California, Idaho, and Nevada are particularly concerning, causing evacuations and destroying homes and businesses.

• Line Fire, east of San Bernardino, California: The fire has burned 23,714 acres and is 5% contained. Mandatory evacuations are in place for about 4,800 homes in Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake. Hundreds more have evacuated from Highland, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Seven Oaks. Cal Fire reports 36,328 structures remain threatened.

Gov. Gavin Newsom activated the California National Guard to assist, including deploying helicopters, aircraft, and hand crews. The fire started Thursday, with over 1,700 personnel fighting it. Three injuries have been reported.

Cal Fire expects significant growth over the next 24 to 48 hours. Winds and heat are challenging firefighting efforts, prioritising firefighter safety.

• Airport Fire, Orange County, California: The fire in Trabuco Canyon expanded from 7 to 1,900 acres within four hours Monday afternoon, leading to mandatory evacuation orders for at least one community. Two elementary schools will be closed Tuesday, the Saddleback Valley Unified School District announced.

• Boyles Fire, southwest of Clearlake, California: The fire has destroyed at least 30 structures and led to the evacuation of about 4,000 residents. It has burned 81 acres and is 40% contained, according to Cal Fire.

• Bridge Fire, Angeles National Forest, north of Los Angeles: The fire has burned 1,255 acres and is 0% contained. Several park roads are closed. High winds and low humidity are aiding fire spread.

• Davis Fire, south of Reno, Nevada: The fire has consumed 6,500 acres and is 0% contained. At least 14 structures have been destroyed, and 12,000 to 14,000 people are under evacuation notice. The Nevada Army National Guard is assisting with firefighting efforts. In-person classes at the University of Nevada, Reno, Redfield campus are cancelled Tuesday.

• Emergency declarations: Gov. Newsom declared an emergency in San Bernardino County for the Line Fire and obtained a FEMA grant for resources. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for the Davis Fire.

• High temperatures: California temperatures range from 95 to 105 degrees, about 10 to 20 degrees above average. An air quality alert is issued due to heat and wildfire smoke. An excessive heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m. PT Monday. Cooler weather is expected midweek, but gusty winds may hinder containment.

An out-of-control #wildfire in southern California grew explosively on Saturday. By Sunday morning, the fire had tripled in size, covering more than 17,000 acres, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The heatwave also increases the risk of more fires. #LineFire pic.twitter.com/df9L03ltlQ

— AsianFin 亞財社 (@AsianFinPress) September 9, 2024

Firefighting efforts involve multiple agencies, with the American Red Cross providing an evacuation shelter. The Bear Valley Unified School District closed all schools Monday due to the Line Fire. Other districts have modified schedules and taken precautions amid excessive heat warnings affecting 17 million people in southwestern California.

The San Bernardino City School District will keep all but one elementary school open, citing the need for safe learning environments and support services. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the US, implemented measures for its 429,000 students due to the heat warning. The Torrance United School District in Los Angeles County will have a shortened school day due to a lack of air conditioners.

Downtown Los Angeles expects a high of 102 on Monday, reaching triple digits for the third time in four days. The heat wave caused power outages in Los Angeles County on Sunday afternoon, affecting the Hollywood Bowl, which cancelled a concert.

The Lava Fire in Gem County, Idaho, has burned 46,733 acres. Rapid fire spread forced firefighter evacuations, and damage assessments are ongoing. Residents nearby received “Level III-Red-Go Now Evacuation Notices.”

In 2024, 6,788,766 acres have burned across the US in 35,609 wildfire incidents, marking the most acres burned by September since 2018. In California, 80% of the state’s largest wildfires occurred in the past decade, including the deadly 2018 Camp Fire.

Research indicates climate change is creating warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.