Photos show Bridge, Airport and Line wildfires raging in Southern California, torching dozens of homes and forcing thousands to evacuate

Dylan Stableford
Firefighters battle the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
Firefighters battle the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Three major wildfires burning across four counties in Southern California have torched dozens of homes and forced thousands to evacuate, blanketing parts of the state under smoke and leading California Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday night.

More than 6,000 fire personnel across 162 crews have been deployed to fight the Bridge, Airport and Line fires, part of a massive response that includes more than 500 fire engines, 141 water tankers and 50 helicopters, according to Newsom’s office.

“California is deploying every available resource to combat these devastating fires, and we’ll continue to work in lockstep with federal and local partners in this Herculean effort,” Newsom said. “We are deeply grateful to all the heroic firefighters and first responders on the ground working 24/7 to keep Californians safe.”

Vehicles burned in the Airport fire are seen in El Cariso Village near Lake Elsinore, Calif., on Wednesday.
Vehicles burned in the Airport fire are seen in El Cariso Village near Lake Elsinore, Calif., on Wednesday. (Zoe Meyers/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Associated Press, at least a dozen people, mainly firefighters, were treated for heat-related injuries. No deaths have been reported.

These are the three major wildfires currently burning in the state:

  • The Airport Fire in Orange County, which has burned over 35 square miles and is 5% contained.

  • The Line Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, which has burned 57 square miles and is 18% contained.

  • The Bridge Fire east of Los Angeles, which has burned 78 square miles and is 0% contained.

All three fires erupted over the weekend amid a blistering heat wave that saw triple-digit temperatures across southern California.

Firetrucks are seen around a building as scorched trees smolder during the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., Wednesday.
Firetrucks are seen around a building as scorched trees smolder during the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., Wednesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP) (AP)

The Bridge Fire exploded overnight Wednesday, torching at least 33 homes, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people and threatening mountain communities northeast of L.A., where officials are imploring those under evacuation orders to leave.

Smoke billows at the Mountain High Ski resort as the Bridge Fire continues to burn in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
Smoke billows at the Mountain High Ski resort as the Bridge Fire continues to burn in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Cal Fire firefighters tackle the Bridge Fire, which is threatening mountain communities to the northeast of Los Angeles, in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
Cal Fire firefighters tackle the Bridge Fire, which is threatening mountain communities to the northeast of Los Angeles, in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)
A charred sign lies on the ground after the Bridge Fire burned mountain communities to the northeast of Los Angeles, in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
A charred sign lies on the ground after the Bridge Fire burned mountain communities to the northeast of Los Angeles, in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Two firefighters watch the Bridge Fire burn near a structure in Wrightwood, Calif., on Tuesday.
Two firefighters watch the Bridge Fire burn near a structure in Wrightwood, Calif., on Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP) (AP)
A burned-out car is seen after the Bridge Fire tore through Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
A burned-out car is seen after the Bridge Fire tore through Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)
The Bridge Fire burns in Wrightwood, Calif., northeast of Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The Bridge Fire burns in Wrightwood, Calif., northeast of Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)

“There is no property that is worth risking your life for,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

The charred remains of a home are seen in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
The charred remains of a home are seen in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)
A plane drops retardant on the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
A plane drops retardant on the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)
The Bridge Fire burns in Wrightwood, Calif., on Tuesday.
The Bridge Fire burns in Wrightwood, Calif., on Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP) (AP)
A charred pickup truck is seen in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday.
A charred pickup truck is seen in Wrightwood, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters) (REUTERS)

California is in the middle of its wildfire season but already has seen nearly three times as much acreage burn than during all of 2023. According to the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, nearly 1 million acres have burned already this year.

“Right now, in our season, we don’t get a lot of recovery from higher humidity,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Andrew Bennett told KTLA. “In Southern California, the fuel is dry toward the end of the year, so our fire season is really just starting now.”

Advertisement