California Wildfires
Live Blog EndedSep 14, 2024

Live updates: Southern California wildfires

See updates on three major wildfires burning in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

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As the Bridge Fire continues to burn over 50,000 acres, crews turned on the snow-makers to help save the Mountain High ski resort. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 4 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2024.

What to Know

  • Three major wildfires are burning in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
  • One of the fires, the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, is considered a case of arson.
  • Some evacuation warnings have been lifted as temperatures cool and firefighters increase containment lines.

This live blog is no longer being updated. Click here for wildfire updates.

Firefighters are gaining ground on three major wildfires that have forced evacuations, destroyed homes and burned tens of thousands of acres in early September.

See live updates on the Airport, Line, Bridge and other wildfires.

SEP 13, 20248:44 PM PDT

Video: Wrightwood home spared from Bridge Fire thanks to firefighters

Some lucky Wrightwood neighbors returned to their homes Friday evening to find them intact after the Bridge Fire swept through the area.

The Bridge Fire, the largest active wildfire in California, has burned 52,800 acres with containment at 3-percent.

Wrightwood neighbor grateful for fire crews that saved her home
Earlier in the week an entire Wrightwood neighborhood just off Angeles Crest Highway was surrounded by flames, now some of those neighbors are grateful to find that their homes were saved from being burned down. Jonathan Gonzalez reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2024.
SEP 13, 20247:38 PM PDT

Cooler weather continues to let fire crews gain momentum on Line Fire

The Bridge Fire has burned 38,074 acres and is at 25% containment as of Friday evening.

Fire crews are using the cooler temperatures to their advantage to gain momentum as it continues to moderate the fire's behavior, according to Cal Fire.

SEP 13, 20246:35 PM PDT

Map: Some Airport Fire evacuation orders are downgraded to warnings

Evacuation warnings for the Airport Fire were downgraded to warnings for some areas in Orange and Riverside Counties.

Warnings in other areas were lifted for some zones.

The Airport Fire has burned 23,410 and is at 9% containment

SEP 13, 20245:27 PM PDT

Video: Line Fire inches closer to Big Bear

The Line Fire has grown to nearly 38,000 acres with containment at 21 percent.

Cal Fire tells NBC4 the Line Fire is starting to creep toward communities on the northeast side of the Santa Ana River like Big Bear.

The area is concerning because it is heavily populated and also home to endangered species, according to Cal Fire.

Line Fire creeps up on Big Bear community
Cal Fire says the Line Fire is starting to inch towards communities on the northeast side of the Santa Ana River, prompting new concerns for neighbors in Big Bear. Amber Firas reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2024.
SEP 13, 20243:41 PM PDT

Some evacuations lifted in Bridge Fire

Some evacuations were left Friday for the Bridge Fire, the largest wildfire burning in California.

Evacuation warnings were in effect for the general areas of Phelan from Highway 138 east to Baldy Mesa Road and Phelan Road south to Sayle Road; San Antonio Heights and Upland from the foothills south to 23rd Street; Piñon Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to Los Angeles County.

Evacuation warnings were lifted Friday in the communities of Baldwin Lake and Lake Williams from Highway 38 north to Highway 18 and Baldwin Lake East, and in the area of Phelan Road south to Forest Route 3N24 and Baldy Mesa Road west to Tumbleweed Road.

A mandatory evacuation order that had been in place in the area of Highway 18 south to Highway 138 and Beekley Road west to the Los Angeles County line was downgraded to a warning.

Evacuation orders remained in effect for the following areas:

SEP 13, 20242:17 PM PDT

Map: Line Fire evacuation warning lifted

An evacuation warning in part of the Line Fire zone was lifted Friday afternoon.

The San Bernardino County fire was at 37,963 acres and 21-percent contained.

SEP 13, 20241:52 PM PDT

Mountain road closures remain in effect for Bridge Fire

Several mountain road closures remain in effect Friday afternoon due to the Bridge Fire.

The fire, the largest active wildfire in California, has burned more than 51,800 acres with containment at 3 percent. The following road closures are in effect.

  • SR-138 from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road
  • SR-2 closed from Big Pines to SR-138
  • Big Pines Highway
  • Big Rock Creek Road
  • San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River
  • Highway 39
  • East Fork Road
  • Glendora Ridge Road
  • Glendora Mountain Road
  • Mount Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection.
SEP 13, 202412:45 PM PDT

Angeles National Forest warns of extreme fire danger

Temperatures are cooling down, but the wildfire threat level remains elevated in Southern California.

Angeles National Forest warned Friday that the fire danger level is extreme due to the increased risk of wildfires. The agency issued several restrictions on activities in the forest.

  • No fires of any kind, including campfires
  • No use of grills (charcoal or gas)
  • No portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as "backpacker stoves)
  • California Campfire Permit holders are not exempt from this order
  • No smoking
  • No use of firearms, air rifles, or gas guns, except in authorized public shooting areas, except by hunters during legal hunting seasons and restrictions
  • No welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame
SEP 13, 202412:35 PM PDT

Running Springs falls eerily quiet during Line Fire

Only a few residents and business owners remain in the mountain community of Running Springs as the Line Fire continues to burn.

Smoke fills the air and the streets, some covered in red fire retardant dropped from firefighting aircraft, remain quiet.

Running Springs falls eerily quiet during Line Fire
The Line Fire spreads around the mountain community of Running Springs. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept. 13, 2024.
SEP 13, 202412:00 PM PDT

Map: Check air quality around Southern California

Smoke from Southern California's wildfires will likely impact air quality into the weekend.

Air quality alerts were in effect Friday for widespread parts of the region. The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned of increases in fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke. Exposure to small particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease and asthma attacks, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. Levels of particle pollution can vary by hour, depending on fire behavior and weather.

SEP 13, 202411:41 AM PDT

Some residents return home after Airport Fire evacuations

Some residents return home following evacuations due to the Airport Fire, which has burned more than 23,400 acers in Orange and Riverside counties.

The fire was 8-percent contained as of Friday afternoon. Some evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.

Some residents return home after Airport Fire evacuations
Some residents return home following evacuations due to the Airport Fire. John Cádiz Klemack reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept. 13, 2024.
SEP 13, 202411:00 AM PDT

Weekend weather expected to aid firefighters

Cooler temperatures are in the forecast this weekend, which should help firefighters increase containment of Southern California wildfires.

See David Biggar's forecast below.

First Alert Forecast: Cooler temperatures
Cooler temperatures are coming our way over the next few days. At the start of next week temperatures may be in the 60s and 70s with a chance of some spotty morning drizzle. 
SEP 13, 202410:35 AM PDT

Bridge Fire grows to 51,884 acres in LA and San Bernardino county mountains

The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties has grown to 51,884 acres with containment at 3 percent.

Water-dropping helicopters are battling flames near Jackson Lake northwest of Wrightwood.

SEP 13, 202410:14 AM PDT

Video: Bridge Fire destroys holistic center in Wrightwood

A resident faces the destruction of both her business and her home after the Bridge Fire swept through Wrightwood. The fire has burned about 51,700 acres with firefighters working to contain flames.

Holistic center consumed by Bridge Fire flames in Wrightwood
A neighbor is lamenting the destruction of both her business and her home after the Bridge Fire swept through Wrightwood. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News on Sept. 12, 2024.
SEP 13, 20249:02 AM PDT

Map: See where Southern California wildfires are burning

The map below shows where wildfires are burning in Southern California. They include the Bridge, Airport and Line fires.

Click on the icon in the upper right to changes layers.

SEP 13, 20248:23 AM PDT

Snow-makers save Mountain High ski resort from Bridge Fire

Snow-makers save Mountain High ski resort from Bridge Fire

The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino has burned dozens of homes and cabins as it continues to burn over 50,000 acres. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 4 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2024. 

This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Bridge Fire, click here.

The Bridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties continues to be the largest active fire in California on Friday.

It has burned 51, 884 acres with 3% containment as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. A team of over 2,000 fire personnel continued battling the flames.

"The Bridge Fire moved through parts of Mountain High Resort overnight. As of 11 a.m. this morning, reports indicate that base facilities at all 3 Resorts (East, West, & North) remain intact," the Mountain High ski resort said in a statement on Wednesday.

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SEP 13, 20248:19 AM PDT

Some Airport Fire evacuation orders lifted in OC, Riverside County

Some Airport Fire evacuation orders lifted in OC, Riverside County

Some evacuation orders have been downgraded as the Airport Fire continues to burn over 23,000 acres. John Cádiz Klemack reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2024. 

This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Airport Fire, click here.

Some evacuation orders were lifted for residents who live near the area where the Airport Fire continues to burn.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, evacuation orders have been downgraded for both Orange and Riverside counties.

As of Friday morning, the fire is burning 23,494 acres with 8% containment, according to Cal Fire.

Read Full Article

SEP 13, 20248:16 AM PDT

Line Fire in San Bernardino County leaves thousands of residents displaced

Line Fire in San Bernardino County leaves thousands of residents displaced

The Line Fire continues to burn over 37,000 acres with 21% containment, leaving thousands of residents displaced. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2024. 

The Line Fire burning in San Bernardino County has left thousands of residents displaced as it continues to burn over 37,000 acres on Friday.

The fire is currently burning 27,743 acres and is 21% contained as of Friday morning. 

According to Cal Fire, 11,400 residents are under evacuation orders and 54,700 are under evacuation warnings.

One family in Running Springs saw their home destroyed by the fire. They took what they could as they followed evacuation orders and left their home. 

Read Full Article

SEP 12, 20244:18 PM PDT

‘Everything is gone.' Airport Fire destroys cabins in OC's Holy Jim Canyon

‘Everything is gone.' Airport Fire destroys cabins in OC's Holy Jim Canyon

The Airport Fire swept through Orange County’s Holy Jim Canyon leaving behind the rubble of recreational cabins in a patch of Cleveland National Forest. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m on Sept. 12, 2024.

Flames that swept through Orange County's Holy Jim Canyon left behind the rubble of recreational cabins in a patch of Cleveland National Forest considered a treasured mountain retreat.

The Airport Fire started Monday about two miles from the nearly three dozen cabins in eastern Orange County. Many were destroyed that afternoon by flames that climbed a canyon wall.

Arturo Payan said his cabin is likely among them. He just signed the paperwork for Cabin No. 29 about one month ago.

"I put all my heart, effort, money (into it)," Payan said. "Now it’s gone, but I’m alive."

Read Full Article

SEP 12, 20244:15 PM PDT

Heartbroken family packed what they could before wildfire destroyed Running Springs home

Heartbroken family packed what they could before wildfire destroyed Running Springs home

As the Line Fire continues it’s destructive path in San Bernardino County, one Running Springs family’s home was destroyed only to be recognized by the charred chimney. Amber Frias reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2024.

Brooke Palenchar had an uneasy feeling when she left her house as a wildfire closed in over the weekend in the San Bernardino County mountains.

Tensions had been on the rise since Thursday when the Line Fire, which investigators determined to be a case of arson, broke out near Highland to the south. Flames were visible from the Palenchars' house the next day and evacuations were ordered on Saturday.

"I had this really strong feeling as I was leaving," said Palenchar. "I'm like, 'I just knew it was going to get lost.'"

The home was destroyed with only the chimney left standing and children's burned bicycles in the rubble. The beloved house was home to the Palenchars and their three young children, ages 5, 7 and 12. They tried to pack what they could before it was time to evacuate.

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SEP 12, 202410:02 AM PDT

Norco arson suspect charged in San Bernardino County Line Fire

Norco arson suspect charged in San Bernardino County Line Fire

The San Bernardino District County District Attorney’s office on Thursday filed charges against the man accused of starting the Line Fire that has scorched more than 37,000 acres. Camilla Rambaldi reports for NBC4 at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024. 

A 34-year-old Norco man has been charged in connection with a wildfire that burned more than 37,000 acres and forced evacuations in San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County prosecutors charged Justin Wayne Halstenberg with arson and other crimes related to the fire, including aggravated arson, arson causing great bodily injury, arson of residence, three counts of arson of forest land, and three counts of using an incendiary device. More charges are possible as the fire continues to burn, prosecutors said.

Halstenberg was arrested on suspicion of arson after investigators reviewed surveillance camera video and automatic licenses plate readers after the fire ignited around 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 near Base Line Road and Aplin Street in Highland. About 73,000 buildings were threatened by flames, which led to evacuation orders and warnings.

The 37,200-acre fire was 18-percent contained Thursday morning.

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SEP 12, 20249:13 AM PDT

Time-lapse video shows dramatic spread of Airport Fire in Orange, Riverside counties

Time-lapse video shows dramatic spread of Airport Fire in Orange, Riverside counties

Timelapse video captures the spread of a wildfire in Orange and Riverside counties. 

Time-lapse video captured the explosive growth of an Orange County wildfire that has destroyed homes and burned tens of thousands of acres in two Southern California counties.

The Airport Fire, one of three major wildfires in Southern California, started Monday and raced from Trabuco Canyon to Lake Elsinore in a matter of hours. By Thursday morning, the fire burned more than 23,400 acres with containment at 5 percent.

Cooler temperatures were in the forecast, which will aid firefighters as they try to increase containment of the fire that has destroyed an unknown number of homes, and injured 10 firefighters and two other people.

"We got a lot of recovery (Tuesday) night because it cooled down," OCFA Division Chief Kevin Fetterman said. "Last night, it was 60 degrees, so that helped us improve those containment lines. That containment is expected to grow in our next report."

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SEP 10, 20241:58 PM PDT

Map: See where fires are burning in Southern California

Map: See where fires are burning in Southern California

Three major wildfires in Southern California burned more than 100,00 acres and forced evacuations during a heat wave that elevated fire danger in the fire-prone region.

Gov. Newsom, who visited Southern California Wednesday, issued a state of emergency in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties as the Bridge and Airport Fires grew. Newsom had proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County for the Line Fire on Monday.

After a string of days with temperatures over 100-degree in many areas, temperatures cooled by mid-week, aiding firefighters.

Here are the active wildfires by county.

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