Currently, four major fires continue to consume the Southern California hills in flames, causing major destruction to homes and businesses, along with burning tens of thousands of acres. The blazes are burning in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino, Sacramento counties. Locally, the people of the valley are concerned that these raging infernos may travel north and ignite further fires.
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The community of Fresno County is still cautious as the 2020 Creek Fire burned furiously throughout the foothills incinerating 856 structures within a four month span. Fresno Christian teacher Dr. Karen Walters, lives near Shaver Lake, and was forced to evacuate her home during The Creek Fire. Residents were given ten minutes to evacuate and forced to consider what they were willing to lose, to take along, and ultimately what belongings were most important. Walters’ being put under so much pressure at the time of evacuation put her faith in God.
“My advice is that God is in control. Think about your priorities,” Walters said “Just being prepared and trusting that God has you.”
The fire nearly three miles away never reached Walters’ home. After staying at a friend’s house for two weeks, Walters was able to return to her property.
However, that is not the case for several current SoCal residents. The Line Fire in San Bernardino is the oldest of the four fires and is 83% contained by firefighters with the help of the cool weather. Four firefighters have recently been injured. Most people in Big Bear County are no longer facing mandatory evacuations. The Line Fire burned 39,299 acres, threatening over 50,000 structures.
Thirty-four-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg, allegedly ignited the fire using incendiary devices. He is now being charged with three counts of arson of a forest land and three counts of possession of an incendiary device, officials said. The fire originally started at 6:33 p.m. on September 5 in San Bernardino County.
Postal worker Corrinna Salas from Highland, California experienced the fire firsthand. The Line fire affected 70% of Salas’ postal route due to the fire behind the houses.
“When I got up in the morning, there was ash all over my car and all over the ground,” Salas said. “It was difficult to breathe the air outside, I needed a mask to breathe.”
While Salas was on her way to work she was turned away by the fire department, and forced to wear M95 masks. The National Guard was posted on residents’ streets to check if she was a resident of the area. Salas was evacuated and is now positioned in Washington.
The Airport Fire in Orange County, the fire has charred 23,526 acres and has been active for 13 days. The fire started near Trabuco Canyon Road in the area of the remote-controlled airplane airport from equipment usage. What sparked the fire was the county public work crew using heavy equipment. The blaze destroyed 160 and damaged 34 structures, along with injuring 22 firefighters and civilians. A crew of 1,189 firefighters has been working on site and, by Friday morning, they managed to contain 95% of the fire.
Resident Gary Van Meter, refused to leave his home after being ordered by a mandatory evacuation to evacuate his community in Trabuco Canyon. Fearing to lose his house to the fire, he decided to stay to try and save his home.
“My thought was if I leave and the house burns down, then I’d feel guilty the whole time if I should have stayed and tried to save the house,” Van Meter states, “If I stay and we still can’t save the house, at least I tried.”
Van Meter’s house is currently untouched by the fire, but the fire closely reached his home, burning his neighbor’s property.
The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties is the largest fire out of the three. Setting 55,000 acres ablaze, destroyed 81 and damaged 17 homes and structures, along with five injuries. The fire is currently 97% contained. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency in response to the Bridge Fire to “expedite all necessary resources” to fight the fire. The cause of the Bridge Fire is still unknown.
Recently, firefighters have been working against the Coffee Pot Fire, and have contained 93% of the forest fire. Ignited by lightning on August 3 in Tulare County, it has set ablaze over 14,000 acres throughout Sequoia National Park. Three individuals have been injured, and no structures have been damaged or destroyed. Evacuation warnings have been issued to all communities east of the National Park Boundary.
As Southern California faces these wildfires, communities come together to support one another. Firefighters make progress in containing the fires, while law officials working tirelessly to provide shelters and other resources.
For live updates on the fires burning through California visit Cal Fire Maps.
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Chloe McDonald • Oct 7, 2024 at 11:41 pm
This was beautifully written, Isabel! Having seen and experienced the effects of the Creek Fires, and now witnessing the impact of the Southern California fires, your article captures it perfectly.