Watch: Firefighters stretched to limit by three California wildfires

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Three major wildfires in southern California are stretching firefighters to breaking point and forcing them to ask for help from neighbouring states.

Strong winds, dry conditions and a heatwave have sent temperatures in the area to nearly 40C as firefighters battle three wildfires – the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and Airport Fire in Orange County – at the same time.

The Line Fire, which started on Thursday, led Gavin Newsom, the California governor, to declare a state of emergency on Saturday.

The blaze, beside the San Bernardino National Forest, grew to about 32,905 acres by Tuesday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

On Sunday, the county’s sheriff department issued evacuation orders for the residents of Running Springs – a gateway community to the popular Big Bear Lake. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“There has been substantial wildfire growth throughout the day,” Anthony Marrone, the Los Angeles County fire chief, said at a briefing on Tuesday evening.

The simultaneous wildfires are stretching firefighters to the limit, and they are asking for help from Northern California and adjoining states, Mr Marrone explained.

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Mr Newsom’s office announced that the state was mobilising almost 6,000 firefighters, soldiers and first responders, as well as 51 helicopters, 141 water tankers and dozens of other large pieces of equipment to help battle the wildfires burning across California.

“We are working day and night to protect communities,” he said in a statement.