A trio of wildfires spread out across Southern California communities was devastating the area with charred land, thick smoke and destructive flames. See coverage from the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
What to Know
- The Bridge Fire above Glendora became the largest active wildfire in California at 49,000 acres.
- The Line Fire is at 18% containment. It has burned nearly 37,000 acres in nearly a week.
- The Airport Fire began in an Orange County canyon and crossed into Riverside County. Eight firefighters have been injured.
- A 34-year-old Norco man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Line Fire.
- A major cool-down is underway in the region after a week of blistering triple-digit heat. But forecasters say the fire danger remains elevated in some areas due to continued dry conditions.
- Smoke from the Bridge, Line, and Airport fires will continue to affect air quality in parts of the region, including the deserts.
Three major wildfires continued to tear across multiple Southern California counties Wednesday, collectively scorching more than 100,000 acres with containment still out of reach for firefighters.
This live blog has ended. Follow NBCLA here for updates on the wildfires.
Will Big Bear's beloved bald eagles be OK with the Line Fire?
By Karla Rendon
As the Line Fire continues to consume the San Bernardino National Forest, some animal lovers are wondering if the famed eagles, Jackie and Shadow, will be okay. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
With smoke from the Line Fire impacting much of Big Bear as the blaze continues to rip through the San Bernardino National Forest, animal lovers are left wondering about one of the most famous, feathered couples in the community.
Bonded bald eagles Jackie and Shadow, whose journey to parenthood and egg-laying triumphs and tragedies captured the hearts of the Internet, reside in the Big Bear Valley. The feathered couple became popular thanks to a live cam of their nest hosted by nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley.
With many eyes on the pair, the public is left wondering – will they be OK?
On its website, the nonprofit organization said on Tuesday that as of late, the birds have not spent a lot of time in their usual nest. It also pointed out that when the valley experiences something unusual such as the smoke, the pair tend to leave.
Evacuated Wrightwood woman returns home to find her pony survived Bridge Fire
By Tracey Leong and Helen Jeong
A Wrightwood family who was forced out of their home due to the Bridge Fire say they’re thankful they returned to find their home intact and beloved pony safe. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
As the erratic flames from the Bridge Fire tore through Wrightwood’s steep terrain, multiple homes were burned down Wednesday, but one woman was relieved to learn her pony that she had left behind was safe.
Cynthia Fleury, who lives on Swallow Hill Road parallel to the Angeles Crest Highway, said her house was covered with red ashes Tuesday night as flames were getting dangerously close to home.
But as her family had to leave so quickly, they left behind their pony, Willow.
“We got back up (Wednesday) morning. We wanted to check on the pony to see if she was safe, to see if she was OK,” Fleury said. “I almost cried when I saw our house was OK, and our neighbors’ house was OK.”
How to maintain your home Insurance after wildfire
By Lolita Lopez
A state of emergency will trigger some strict rules in California when it comes to residential property insurance. The I-Team’s Lolita Lopez reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2024.
The 2024 wildfire season has been a tense time for home and business owners who – as NBC Los Angeles’ I-Team has reported – are being dropped by their insurance carriers by the tens of thousands as companies are concerned with large losses in events like the Line, Bridge and Airport Fires.
"Honestly the hardest part is we are blind. I’ve been calling around all afternoon, trying to find out if my house is still there,” Danny Jacob, who recently evacuated from his home, said.
The state’s Department of Insurance said one thing that should not be a worry for homeowners is the possible loss of their insurance.
State law requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain neighborhoods after the governor has issued a state of emergency.
Lake Elsinore schools to close tomorrow
Air quality to remain unhealthy in parts of SoCal Thursday
By Melissa Magee
Smoke and ash from the triple wildfires will continue to make the air quality unhealthy for some neighborhoods and sensitive groups on Thursday.
Here's the forecast.
Airport Fire grows slightly as firefighters continue their battle
By Helen Jeong
Watch: Time-lapse video of Bridge Fire inside Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood
By Helen Jeong
Line Fire: Arson suspect to appear in court tomorrow
By Helen Jeong
Orange County large animal shelter available to take in more horses
Nearly 100 horses are being sheltered at the OC Fair and Event Center as families and animals were forced to leave their homes amid the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties.
The center had more stalls available as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Fairgrounds across the state do have a tradition of coming to help in situations like this,” Terry More with the OC Fair and Event Center said. “We have the anchorage. We have the space we have the expertise in dealing with animals.
The center is located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Owners should call 714-708-1588 prior to arrival and enter Gate 9 off Arlington.
Orange County officials cautiously optimistic in battling Airport Fire
Smoke advisory issued in much of Southern California
By Helen Jeong
Smoke from the Bridge, Line and Airport Fires is creating unhealthy to hazardous air conditions in many parts of Southern California, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said.
While the communities near the fires in eastern San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Santa Ana Mountains, Inland Empire Hemet, and Coachella Valley will likely have the worst level of impacts, west Los Angeles and coastal Orange County are expected to have minimal smoke impacts.
Officials urge people to limit exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed.
People are also urged not to burn woods in fireplaces or fire pits while minimizing indoor air pollution through candles, incense, pan-frying and grilling.
Airport Fire: Damage assessment underway in Lake Elsinore
By Helen Jeong
Two homes from a property in Lake Elsinore near Ortega Highway or Highway 74 were saved.
But at least two cars and multiple storage units were destroyed.
Fire officials do not have the exact count of how many homes and properties were damaged or destroyed yet.
NBC4’s Jonathan Gonzalez contributed to this report from the eastern flank of the Airport Fire in Lake Elsinore.
Airport Fire: Riverside County proclaims local emergency
By Helen Jeong
Line Fire: Some evacuation orders downgraded
By Helen Jeong
Federal assistance granted for 3 SoCal wildfires
By Helen Jeong
Airport Fire: School closures extended in Inland Empire
By Helen Jeong
Evacuation order issued for Bridge Fire
By Willian Avila
Airport Fire burning in Orange, Riverside Counties, showing signs of slowing down
Efforts to contain the multi-county Airport Fire continue, however, firefighters face a huge challenge due to the geography surrounding the area. Macy Jenkins reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2024.
This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Airport Fire, click here.
The Airport Fire, which was reported in Trabuco Canyon Monday afternoon, expanded to burn more than 23,000 acres in Orange and Riverside Counties, but dropping temperatures may slow down the blaze, officials said Wednesday.
The Airport Fire, which was 5% contained as of Wednesday night, threatened more than 10,000 structures in both counties, injuring seven people including five firefighters.
Lake Elsinore Unified School District canceled all classes slated for Thursday, Sept. 12.
Line Fire arson suspect being held without bail in San Bernardino County
By Helen Jeong
San Bernardino officials shared more details about a man who was arrested for starting the Line Fire in Highland.
Justin Halstenberg is being held without bail in the San Bernardino County jail.
He does not have any prior convictions for arson, according to court records.
His LinkedIn profile says he’s a delivery driver for FedEx.
Satellite image of the Bridge and Line fires
Satellite view of smoke plumes from the Bridge Fire (left) and Line Fire (right). This image was taken on Monday, Sept. 9.
The Bridge Fire began on Sept. 8 and the Line Fire started Sept. 5.
State highways closed near Wrightwood amid Bridge Fire
Gusty winds keep fire danger elevated
A diurnal wind pattern could cause flare-ups this afternoon and increase the smoke.
Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest expands to San Bernardino County, reaching Mt. High resort
By Helen Jeong
Hand crews are working to draw containment lines as the Bridge Fire grows to over 50,000 acres, destroying multiple family homes along the way. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m on Sept. 11, 2024.
This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Bridge Fire, click here.
Dozens of homes were destroyed in the Bridge Fire as the fast-growing fire burned through Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, leaving behind a trail of destruction Wednesday.
The cross-county wildfire burned 50,258 acres as of Wednesday evening with 0% containment.
Gov. Newsom, who visited Southern California Wednesday, issued a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
Arson arrest made in 34,000-acre Line Fire in San Bernardino County
By Karla Rendon
More then 65,000 structures are threatened as the Line Fire burns through San Bernardino County. Christian Cázares reports for the NBC4 News at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024.
This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Line Fire, click here.
A man was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire that spread wildly to the more than 34,000-acre Line Fire that prompted several evacuations in San Bernardino County.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said law enforcement arrested 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco in connection with the massive blaze. Officials accuse the man of starting the fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in Highland.
Halstenberg was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Central Detention Center. He is being held on $80,000 bail.
Map: See where fires are burning in Southern California
By Helen Jeong
Three major wildfires in Southern California burned more than 100,00 acres and forced evacuations during a heat wave that elevated fire danger in the fire-prone region.
Gov. Newsom, who visited Southern California Wednesday, issued a state of emergency in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties as the Bridge and Airport Fires grew. Newsom had proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County for the Line Fire on Monday.
After a string of days with temperatures over 100-degree in many areas, temperatures cooled by mid-week, aiding firefighters.
Here are the active wildfires by county.
Airport Fire doubles in size within hours in Trabuco Canyon
By Helen Jeong
The intense heat and dry vegetation further fanned the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon Tuesday. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024.
This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Airport Fire, click here.
The Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon exploded in size Tuesday to scorch over 20,000 acres at 0% containment largely due a "wind phenomenon," officials said.
The fire is currently burning 22,376 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
The Elsinore effect, which can cause erratic fire behavior as a result of steep mountains and precarious weather patterns, further fanned flames downhill.
