Governor Newsom requests FEMA aid as fires rage, while locals face worsening air quality and growing evacuations.
The Airport Fire near Trabuco Canyon is wreaking havoc across Orange County, pushing ash and smoke into the skies and forcing thousands to evacuate. Residents as far as North San Diego County are seeing their cars covered in ash as the fire rages out of control. Homes in the Rancho Santa Margarita area have been evacuated, with fire crews battling to contain the rapidly spreading inferno.
Firefighters are struggling to prevent the flames from crossing major boundaries. The Airport Fire has already jumped Ortega Highway, advancing into Riverside County near Lake Elsinore. The devastation has left two firefighters injured, and one person is hospitalized from smoke inhalation. With almost 20,000 acres burned, the blaze remains at zero percent containment, according to Cal Fire.
In nearby San Bernardino County, a state of emergency has been declared for the growing Line Fire near Big Bear Lake. The fire has scorched more than 32,000 acres, with only 14 percent containment. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place as thousands of residents flee their homes in an effort to stay ahead of the flames.
North San Diego County residents are also facing hazardous conditions, as air quality warnings and smoke advisories have been issued. Firefighters from Cal Fire San Diego have joined in efforts to battle the blaze, with crews scattered across Southern California.
David Mann, a Fallbrook resident and former fire captain, reflected on the chaos as he described the ash raining down from the Airport Fire. “It’s on the ground and it’s a real fine ash – so it’s definitely not healthy for you,” Mann said. He expressed deep concern over how quickly the fire has spread across Orange and Riverside counties. “I used to live there, so I know the area well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cal Fire San Diego’s Brent Pascua detailed the difficult firefighting efforts in San Bernardino County, where his team has been working on the Line Fire. “We’ve had a strike team of engines, a strike team of bulldozers, and some chief officers from Cal Fire San Diego up here helping,” Pascua said during a video call from Running Springs, a town currently blanketed with fire retardant. Despite their efforts, the fire remains relentless, and firefighters are facing scorching heat and unpredictable weather.
“We went from 600 firefighters to over 2,000 quickly so that we can surround these fires and protect these homes,” Pascua explained. The rapid expansion of firefighting forces speaks to the severity of the situation, with evacuation orders still in effect and crews working tirelessly to protect lives and property.
The Bridge Fire, which originated in Los Angeles, is another growing concern as it crosses into San Bernardino County. Now spanning over 34,000 acres, the fire is placing additional pressure on already stretched resources. David Mann expressed his worries for his fellow firefighters: “The heat is terrible – it’s devastating for firefighters on the line. My thoughts and prayers are with them. You guys stay safe.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has responded to the mounting crisis by deploying the National Guard to assist with the Line Fire. In addition, he has requested a FEMA grant to help cover the escalating costs of battling both the Bridge and Airport fires. However, critics argue that Newsom’s reaction has been reactive rather than proactive, and that more could have been done to prevent these fires from reaching such catastrophic levels.
As the fires continue to spread, Southern California remains on edge, with no clear end in sight.
