The total acreage burned in California this year has exceeded 1 million, with firefighters facing increasing challenges as temperatures surged on Tuesday. The Line Fire, which has been burning in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles for nearly a month, expanded significantly over the weekend, prompting further evacuation orders for remote communities.
The fire has now spread across nearly 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of the San Bernardino Mountains, and containment efforts have dropped from 83% to 76%. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, noted that dry vegetation, steep slopes, and aligned winds have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
As an autumn heatwave grips much of California, the risk of wildfires continues to rise. The National Weather Service warned that some inland areas could experience temperatures up to 20 degrees above the seasonal average, with San Francisco potentially reaching 90 degrees (32°C) and Sacramento seeing triple digits (38°C).
In response to the heightened fire risk, Pacific Gas & Electric proactively cut power to certain customers in high-risk areas. Meanwhile, the Line Fire has pushed the total acreage burned in California in 2024 to 1,001,993 (405,492 hectares) as of Tuesday morning. This figure surpasses last year’s total for the same period of 293,362 acres (118,719 hectares) but aligns closely with the five-year average.
Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a 34-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to igniting the Line Fire on September 5.
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