Airport, Line, Bridge Fires Threaten Life, Property In CA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Multiple major wildfires are burning across California, prompting thousands of evacuations, school and road closures, and unhealthful air quality.

Firefighters are spread thin, battling the blazes amid record-setting heat.

Most of the state's active wildfires are burning in Southern California which is nearly a week into a blistering heatwave. In Northern California, a notable cooldown has helped firefighters get a handle on blazes that broke out earlier this month.

SEE ALSO: 18 Images Show CA Wildfires Wreaking Havoc On State

Here is the latest on the biggest fires that are threatening life and property:

The Airport Fire

The Airport Fire broke out in Orange County on Trabuco Creek Road near the remote-controlled airplane airport in Trabuco Canyon at around 1:15 p.m. Monday, the Orange County Fire Authority reported.

By Tuesday night, the flames had blackened 19,028 acres of steep canyons and hillsides, creating a threat to Riverside County's Temescal Valley and Lake Elsinore area residents, as well as residents on the western reaches in unincorporated Murrieta and Temecula. On Tuesday, authorities announced the fire had crossed into Riverside County, and by afternoon the flames jumped the Ortega Highway. See evacuation updates here.

For Riverside County residents, a care and reception center has been set up at Santiago High School, 1395 E Foothill Pkwy. in Corona. Animals may also be brought to the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd. in Jurupa Valley.

See the latest on Orange County evacuations here.

There is zero containment on the blaze as of Tuesday morning.

For the most recent Airport Fire Patch updates, click here.

Orange County Fire Authority investigators found that the cause of the Airport Fire was unintentional, caused by a spark from heavy equipment being used by two Public Works employees on Trabuco Creek Road earlier that day.

The equipment was being used to replace barriers out in the area to restore a pathway, Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said during a Monday news conference.

According to investigators, a spark from the equipment resulted in a fire that the two employees were unable to put

Several schools and roads are closed due to the blaze.

The Line Fire

The Line Fire broke out at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 near Base Line Road and Aplin Street in the San Bernardino County community of Highland. As of Tuesday night, it has ripped through 32,905 acres with containment at 14%.

Late Tuesday night, a 34-year-old Norco man was arrested on suspicion of intentionally setting the blaze. Read more here.

Three firefighters have been injured battling the inferno, and thousands of residents are under evacuation orders and warnings, including in popular Southern California mountain resort communities such as Big Bear, Running Springs and Angelus Oaks. Several roads leading up to those destinations are closed due to the fire and many schools are closed.

An update on the firefighter injuries was not immediately available. Crews are working in exceptionally challenging conditions due to the ongoing heat wave that has sent temperatures well above the 100-degree mark.

Despite the fire's ferocity, crews have kept the blaze away from structures. As of Tuesday night, no structures were reported lost in the flames.

Bridge Fire

A wildfire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains has scorched nearly 34,000 acres as of Tuesday evening, and there is zero containment on the blaze. By Tuesday night, the blaze had torn through mountain communities destroying at least one structure in the Mt. Baldy area and burning through Mountain High resort, live camera feeds from the resort showed.

Los Angeles County's noninjury Bridge Fire, which triggered evacuations and road closures, was reported around 3 p.m. Sunday near the area of East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads, according to the Angeles National Forest.

On Tuesday night, the communities of Wrightwood, Pinoion Hills and Mt. Baldy were under evacuation orders, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had previously issued a mandatory evacuation order for the East Fork communities of Camp Williams and River Community and all residents north of San Antonio Dam up to the Mount Baldy Resort.

Read more about the Bridge Fire here.

Boone Fire

Firefighters have gained the upper hand on the 17,766-acre Boone Fire burning in Fresno County. The blaze broke out Sept. 3, and was 44 percent contained by Tuesday morning.

"The fire has mainly been creeping and smoldering in rugged terrain within the fire perimeter," Calfire officials wrote in a fire update Tuesday morning. "Crews continue suppression repair and work on establishing and strengthening control lines. Today, weather remains hot and dry with temperatures in the 90-degrees, though a slight cooling trend will occur in the fire area over the next several days with expected 35 mph wind gusts on Wednesday."

As of Tuesday, there were no reports of structure damage or injuries. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Boyles Fire

The Boyles Fire burning in Lake County broke out Sunday and burned 81 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to CalFire. It is 40 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.

Though small, the blaze has been destructive. As of Tuesday, it had destroyed more than 30 structures and 40 vehicles. Roughly 2,313 people had to be evacuated Sunday, and many were housed at the evacuation center at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

Check here for up-to-date evacuation information on the Boyles Fire.

Roblar Fire

On Saturday, the Roblar Fire broke out at Camp Pendleton and quickly scorched nearly 1,000 acres. By Tuesday morning, firefighters had the blaze 45 percent contained.

There were no reports of injuries or structural damage, according to CalFire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Air Quality Concerns

The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended an air quality alert for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties due to increased fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke in the region and high smog (ozone) levels.

Smog levels are exacerbated by the heat wave that is expected to continue through Tuesday night.

Officials are urging residents to remain indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid rigorous physical activity.

As of Tuesday morning, large swaths of Southern California were covered by an “unhealthy” layer of air pollutants, with those closest to the Line Fire under “hazardous” conditions, according to the Air Quality Management District.

"Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor`s advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality.

"Additionally, people with respiratory or heart disease, older adults, and children are particularly susceptible and should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion as conditions dictate," according to the National Weather Service.