LOS ANGELES — The total acres burned in California this year surpassed 1 million as spiking temperatures Tuesday added to the challenges facing firefighters struggling to contain a stubborn blaze in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles that flared up over the weekend.
Evacuation orders were expanded again Monday for remote communities northeast of Los Angeles as the Line Fire that has been burning for nearly a month spread over nearly 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of the San Bernardino Mountains and containment dropped from 83% to 76%.
“The dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind aligned … to create conditions for the rapid fire spread,” according to a statement late Monday from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
The risk of wildfires increased across California as an autumn heatwave scorched much of the state. Some inland areas could see temperatures up to 20 degrees above average for this time of year, according the National Weather Service.
San Francisco, where residents typically break out the sweaters in October, could hit 90 degrees (32 C), while triple digits (38 C) were predicted for Sacramento. The weather service office in the state’s capital urged residents to stay indoors during the heat of the day Tuesday.
Dry, hot winds in the northern part of the state prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to preemptively cut power to small clusters of customers in high-risk areas. The utility routinely stops electricity service in counties where weather conditions increase the probability of fires.
In Southern California, the Line Fire’s surge pushed the total acres burned across the state in 2024 to 1,001,993 (405,492 hectares) as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. The milestone surpasses the total scorched during the same time last year — 293,362 acres (118,719 hectares) — but is roughly on par with the five-year average for the period, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A 34-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to starting the Line Fire on Sept. 5. Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco, California, was charged with 11 arson-related crimes, according to court records.
At its height, the blaze threatened more than 65,000 homes in and around the Big Bear Lake area.
In 2021, California experienced one of its most devastating wildfire seasons on record, with over 1 million acres of land destroyed by the flames. The fires, fueled by a combination of dry conditions, high winds, and record-breaking temperatures, ravaged communities across the state, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The largest and most destructive fire of the season was the Dixie Fire, which burned over 960,000 acres in Northern California and destroyed hundreds of homes and structures. The fire, which started in mid-July, quickly spread due to strong winds and dry vegetation, making it difficult for firefighters to contain.
In addition to the Dixie Fire, several other major wildfires burned throughout the state, including the Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe, the River Fire in Placer County, and the Fawn Fire in Shasta County. These fires collectively scorched thousands of acres of land and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
The impact of these wildfires was felt far and wide, with smoke and ash blanketing large parts of the state and causing poor air quality for weeks on end. The fires also had a significant economic impact, with billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
In response to the unprecedented wildfire season, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and mobilized resources to support firefighting efforts. Thousands of firefighters from across the country were brought in to help battle the blazes, along with aircraft and other equipment to aid in containment.
As climate change continues to fuel more frequent and intense wildfires in California, experts warn that the state must take proactive measures to mitigate the risk of future disasters. This includes investing in forest management practices, implementing stricter building codes in fire-prone areas, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of climate change.
While the 2021 wildfire season was one of the most destructive in California’s history, it also served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to protect communities and ecosystems from the growing threat of wildfires. As the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of these devastating fires, it is clear that bold and decisive action is needed to prevent similar disasters in the future.
