Three firefighters injured and more than 35,000 buildings at risk of fire amid heat wave
Tens of thousands of homes and buildings were threatened Sunday by an out-of-control wildfire burning in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a multi-day heatwave that sent temperatures soaring across the region.
State fire marshals reported that three firefighters were injured and more than 35,000 buildings were threatened, including single-family homes and apartment buildings and commercial buildings, according to the BBC while authorities issued multi-area evacuation orders. Storms expected later in the day could make conditions even more difficult.
“Afternoon thunderstorms could spark new flares and potentially impact activity around the perimeter of the fire,” state fire officials said in an update Sunday morning.
The so-called Fire Line was burning along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. As of Sunday morning, the flames had burned about 70 square kilometers of grass, leaving a thick cloud of dark smoke covering the area.
“Extreme temperatures, wind and lightning allowed the fire to grow quickly,” the county said in a statement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday night.
State officials said vegetation is extremely dry in the area and temperatures reached 39 degrees Celsius on Saturday with the relative humidity decreasing to provide ideal conditions for fire spread.
More than 600 firefighters they fight the fire, while at the same time assisting helicopters and other aircraft.
Source :Skai
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