As a massive wildfire engulfs California’s San Bernardino County, California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced activation of the California National Guard to assist nearly 2,000 firefighters engaged in battling the wildfire.
“California stands with the affected communities with nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets dealing with the fire,” he added.
The fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Line Fire has scorched at least 23,600 acres (about 95.5 square km) with only 3 per cent containment as of Monday, forcing mandatory evacuation orders for over 11,000 people and putting more than 36,000 structures at risk, said Newsom.
The fire, which broke out on Thursday, has grown exponentially in size over the weekend due to soaring temperatures and critically dry vegetation amid a record-setting heat wave in California.
Newsom declared on Saturday a state of emergency in San Bernardino County to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire.
At least five school and college districts in the region were closed for students and staff due to the impacts of the ongoing Line Fire.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for a large part of California.
It is expected that the PM 2.5 levels may reach the “very unhealthy” level or higher in southern Orange County, the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino Mountains, and surrounding areas.
Another wildfire called the Bridge Fire broke out on Sunday in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, nearly 100 km west of the Line Fire.
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