Wildfires ravage California and Nevada amid heatwave, prompt evacuations and power outages

Wildfires in California and Nevada have spread rapidly after a heat wave that saw triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions — but cooler weather may bring some respite in the firefights. 

The Line Fire in the foothills of the San Bernardino National Forest spans over 25,800 acres as of Monday evening, and stands just 5% contained while threatening some 38,000 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The blaze, which began Thursday night east of Los Angeles, has thus far forced at least 6,000 people to evacuate.

Heat surrounding the Line Fire created its own weather system Saturday, producing thunderstorm-like pyrocumulus clouds — or fire clouds — which were responsible for 280 lightning strikes hitting the ground, the National Weather Service said. Pyrocumulus clouds have also been seen around two other major Southern California fires: the Airport Fire in Orange County and the Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest.

Firefighters clean burned trees and branches as the Line Fire grows on Sept. 8 in San Bernardino, Calif.Qian Weizhong / VCG via Getty Images

Tuesday is forecast to bring strong winds which “could help fire spread” but mid-week cooling temperatures could also “moderate fire activity and increase fuel moistures,” CalFire said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency due to the Line Fire Saturday. On Monday, fire officials said the California National Guard will deploy four Blackhawk helicopters and other aircraft to aid with modular airborne fire fighting systems as well as 80 soldiers. Over 1,890 personnel are responding to the blaze, including 191 engines and 15 helicopters. 

Evacuation orders are in place for several communities, with more evacuation warnings in place. The Bear Valley Unified and Redlands Unified school districts closed schools Monday and Tuesday due to the fire.

The Airport Fire started Monday afternoon as a seven acre brush fire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, south of Los Angeles. In a matter of hours, it exploded to an estimated 5,400 acres by the late evening, the OC Fire Authority said.

The blaze, which was reported near a remote-controlled plane airport, prompted mandatory evacuations for Robinson Ranch and Traduce Highlands, and evacuation warnings in other nearby communities. 

Smoke billows from the Airport Fire in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., on Monday. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

The Bridge Fire, which sparked in Angeles National Forest, east of Los Angeles on Sunday, stands at nearly 3,000 acres with 0% containment, according to forest officials. An evacuation order is in effect for residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to Mount Baldy Resort, as well as other communities.

Meanwhile, in Nevada, the Davis Fire is burning about 5,000 acres and stands 0% contained, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest officials said Monday evening. 

The fire started around Davis Creek Regional Park, just south of Reno, on Saturday and was raging through heavy timber and brush. Thus far it’s impacted at least 14 structures, prompted road closures, outages that left 17,000 customers without power at its peak Saturday, and put some 12,000 to 14,000 people under evacuation notice. As of Tuesday morning, about 3,000 customers are without power in Washoe County, Nevada, according to PowerOutage.Us.

Tuesday marks the last day of high temperatures in California before a cool down. The prior weekend into Monday saw temperatures surge over 100 degrees and swelter the region.

However, increasing winds — with wind gusts up to 40 mph — and decreasing humidity through Wednesday will keep fire threats elevated. Red Flag warnings are in place across southern California, including the I-5 corridor and the Los Angeles Metro area.