Firefighting teams in southern California made progress battling three major wildfires on Saturday thanks to cooler and wetter weather, authorities said.
The largest blaze — the Bridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties — was at 53,783 acres as of Saturday night, with 2,453 emergency personnel achieving 5% containment and ensuring “minimal movement” of the inferno, according to Cal Fire. This represented a 2% increase in containment versus Saturday morning.
Two firefighters have been injured in the Bridge Fire, which began on Sept. 8. At least 19 structures are destroyed and six damaged, with 11,560 more still under threat, Cal Fire said.
The northwest corner of the fire was most active through Saturday, Cal Fire added, while the east side of the blaze still poses risks to residents in the Mount Baldy area, where evacuation orders remain in effect.
Firefighters held their containment line on its south side in the Sunset Peak area, and increased containment there by 2%.
A firefighting Chinook helicopter flies over the smoke from the Bridge Fire burning in the hills overlooking Pinon Hills, California, on September 12, 2024. The Bridge Fire is one of three out-of-control blazes that have erupted around the United States’ second-biggest city, fueled by a punishing heat wave and fanned by gusting winds. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
Elsewhere in San Bernardino County, firefighters increased containment of the Line Fire from 25% to 29% during the course of Saturday. The blaze was 38,417 acres in size as of Cal Fire’s latest update.
Some 36,300 structures are at threat, with one destroyed and three damaged so far. There are 4,198 fire personnel responding, with three firefighters so far injured.
“Late Friday night and into the early hours Saturday, Line Fire activity was moderated due to higher moisture levels,” San Bernardino National Forest said, though added that danger of spreading fire remained in dry vegetation, drainages and along slopes.
“The weather is expected to remain cool over the next several days which will continue to help moderate fire behavior,” the national forest said.
Firefighters battling the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties grew containment from 9% to 19% on Saturday, Cal Fire reported, with the fire now 23,519 acres in size.
The wildfire destroyed 109 structures and damaged 24 more as of Saturday night, Cal Fire said with another 21,993 still threatened. Fourteen people — 12 firefighters and two civilians — have been injured.
A Cal Fire firefighter tackles the Bridge Fire threatening mountain communities to the northeast of Los Angeles, in Wrightwood, California, U.S. September 11, 2024. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu
Ringo Chiu/Reuters
“Favorable weather conditions persisted, with the marine layer returning this evening and forecast light precipitation in the coming days,” Cal Fire wrote on Saturday evening.
“Despite recent weather, the dry vegetation has exhibited active fire behavior, indicating the continued risk of increased fire activity.”
“Evacuation levels are being assessed daily by fire managers in collaboration with law enforcement based on fire containment and safety considerations,” it added.
“Efforts are underway to safely return residents to their homes as conditions permit.”
ABC News’ Samira Said and Tristan Maglunog contributed to this report.
California has been battling wildfires for weeks, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect communities. The latest updates show that progress is being made in several key areas, giving hope to residents and officials alike.
One of the largest wildfires currently burning in California is the Dixie Fire, which has been raging for over a month and has already consumed more than 600,000 acres. Firefighters have been working around the clock to contain the blaze, and recent reports indicate that they have made significant progress in securing containment lines and preventing further spread of the fire. As of the latest update, the Dixie Fire is now 31% contained, a significant improvement from previous days.
In addition to the Dixie Fire, firefighters are also making headway in containing other major wildfires across the state. The Caldor Fire, which has forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, is now 19% contained, up from just 8% containment a few days ago. Firefighters have been using a combination of air and ground resources to battle the blaze, and their efforts are starting to pay off.
Despite the progress being made, firefighters are still facing challenging conditions, including high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. These factors can quickly cause fires to spread and make containment efforts more difficult. However, firefighters are continuing to work diligently to protect communities and prevent further destruction.
In addition to containing the wildfires, firefighters are also focused on protecting critical infrastructure, such as power lines, communication towers, and water treatment plants. These facilities are essential for maintaining essential services for residents and ensuring that communities can recover quickly after the fires are extinguished.
As the firefighting efforts continue, residents are urged to stay informed and follow evacuation orders and warnings issued by authorities. It is important for residents to have a plan in place in case they need to evacuate quickly and to be prepared for potential power outages and disruptions to services.
Overall, the progress being made by firefighters in containing the California wildfires is a testament to their dedication and skill. Their tireless efforts are helping to protect lives, property, and natural resources, and their work is greatly appreciated by all those affected by the fires. With continued cooperation and support from residents and officials, firefighters will hopefully be able to bring these devastating wildfires under control in the coming days.
