Wildfires spread out of control in Los Angeles

Three wildfires have broken out around America’s second-largest city, fueled by strong winds and a brutal heat wave. Thousands of firefighters, backed by the National Guard, are battling to contain the blazes. No serious injuries have been reported, but tens of thousands of homes and businesses are at risk.

The Airport Fire in Orange County has burned more than 3,600 hectares since it broke out on the afternoon of September 10, due to an accident involving workers operating heavy equipment, according to preliminary reports. The fire, located southwest of Los Angeles, has created a thick layer of smoke that has forced many schools in the area to close.

Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi said the fire continued to spread and was headed toward Santiago Peak, home to radio and television broadcast towers for local media, as well as federal and state government agencies. Fire crews had to withdraw from the area because the fire was so intense, he said. Images on social media showed planes spraying red fire retardant on hillsides above a residential area, while helicopters dropped water to douse the flames.

Northeast of Los Angeles, the Line Fire has burned nearly 26,000 acres in San Bernardino County. Popular resort areas around Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear have been ordered to evacuate, and several major roads have been closed. Firefighters are battling the blaze from the air and on the ground, trying to create gaps in vegetation to prevent the fire from spreading. However, strong winds and hot, dry conditions are making the effort more difficult.

The Bridge Fire, which broke out north of Los Angeles on September 9, is smaller in scale but has also burned more than 4,000 acres. The heat wave that has blanketed much of Southern California for the past week has made the situation worse.

Extreme heat with temperatures reaching 43 degrees Celsius and strong winds could make things worse, local officials said.