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California: thousands under evacuation order as fire rages east of Los Angeles California: thousands under evacuation order as fire rages east of Los Angeles
(about 3 hours later)
‘Dangerously hot conditions’ hamper firefighters as blaze only 5% contained but no injuries reported‘Dangerously hot conditions’ hamper firefighters as blaze only 5% contained but no injuries reported
Thousands of people in California were under evacuation order after a wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles exploded in size and forced crews to battle flames in triple-digit heat.Thousands of people in California were under evacuation order after a wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles exploded in size and forced crews to battle flames in triple-digit heat.
The Apple fire in Riverside county consumed more than 31 sq miles (about 80 sq km) of dry brush and timber, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection. The Apple fire in Riverside county has consumed more than 41 sq miles (about 80 sq km) of dry brush and timber since it broke out on Friday, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection. The blaze is the largest in southern California so far this year.
As of Monday morning, it was 5% contained. The cause was under investigation.As of Monday morning, it was 5% contained. The cause was under investigation.
Officials allowed flames to run up the side of Mount San Gorgonio, an 11,000ft (3,350m) peak, because it was not safe to let crews work in such steep, rugged terrain, said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the US Forest Service.Officials allowed flames to run up the side of Mount San Gorgonio, an 11,000ft (3,350m) peak, because it was not safe to let crews work in such steep, rugged terrain, said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the US Forest Service.
“We don’t want to put firefighters in a dangerous situation,” Cox told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “It’s burning in a straight line up a mountain.”“We don’t want to put firefighters in a dangerous situation,” Cox told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “It’s burning in a straight line up a mountain.”
The blaze began as two adjacent fires reported on Friday evening in Cherry Valley, an unincorporated area near the city of Beaumont about 85 miles (137km) east of downtown Los Angeles.The blaze began as two adjacent fires reported on Friday evening in Cherry Valley, an unincorporated area near the city of Beaumont about 85 miles (137km) east of downtown Los Angeles.
Flames leapt along brushy ridge tops and came close to homes while firefighters attacked it from the ground and air.Flames leapt along brushy ridge tops and came close to homes while firefighters attacked it from the ground and air.
One home and two outbuildings were destroyed, Cal Fire said. No injuries were reported.One home and two outbuildings were destroyed, Cal Fire said. No injuries were reported.
Evacuation orders and advisories were issued for about 8,000 people in mountain, canyon and foothill neighborhoods. Campgrounds and hiking trails were closed in the San Gorgonio Wilderness area of the San Bernardino national forest. Evacuation orders and advisories were issued for about 8,000 people in mountain, canyon and foothill neighborhoods. Campgrounds and hiking trails were closed in the San Gorgonio Wilderness area of the San Bernardino national forest. A huge smoke plume was visible for miles around and contributed to poor air quality.
A huge smoke plume was visible for miles around and contributed to poor air quality. Bill Boehm helped his mother evacuate her home with her three horses and said the pandemic had not stopped people from coming together to assist each other.
“Everyone seemed to be wearing masks and such, so that type of precaution was still going on,” Boehm told the news station.
Temperatures hit 109F (43C) Sunday in nearby Palm Springs. The National Weather Service said “dangerously hot conditions” were expected to continue because of high pressure over much of southern California.Temperatures hit 109F (43C) Sunday in nearby Palm Springs. The National Weather Service said “dangerously hot conditions” were expected to continue because of high pressure over much of southern California.
To the north, the Pond fire in San Luis Obispo county was 10% contained Sunday after burning more than 2 square miles of (6 sq km) brush east of Santa Margarita. The blaze destroyed two structures but officials said it was unclear whether they were homes. In northern California, evacuations were ordered after a wildfire that was sparked Sunday afternoon spread quickly and burned near homes near the East Park reservoir in Colusa county. Complicating firefighters’ efforts were temperatures in the area north of Sacramento, expected to hit the upper 90s F (about 36C) by Monday afternoon.
On California’s central coast, a fire in San Luis Obispo county was 60% contained Monday after burning more than 2 sq miles (6 sq km) of brush east of the community of Santa Margarita. Two structures were destroyed but officials said it was unclear whether they were homes.