Weather brings favorable conditions for firefighters battling 3 Southern California blazes

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Firefighters across Southern California are making slow and steady progress to contain three major wildfires. More than 110,000 acres have gone up in flames, forcing tens of thousands of evacuations, destroying homes. States of emergency are in place for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and firefighters have been spread thin.

One good sign: Favorable weather conditions Friday limited the fires’ spread.

Officials expect these conditions — a strong marine layer bringing moisture to raised humidity, favorable winds and lower temperatures — to continue into the weekend. They’re still monitoring smoke and fog that’s affected visibility.

Authorities say two of the fires — Airport and Line — were caused by humans, the first by accident and the other allegedly intentional. The cause of the Bridge Fire is under investigation.

All three fires still remain active, with the Bridge Fire only 3% contained. All week, massive plumes of smoke have been visible throughout the region, prompting air quality warnings that are expected to continue.

Here’s what we know about each of the fires so far:

Airport Fire (Orange and Riverside counties)

For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:

The Airport Fire ignited Monday afternoon in Trabuco Canyon near the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, quickly prompting evacuations.

The basics

• Acreage: 23,494 acres as of Saturday afternoon
• Containment: 9% (Note: CalFire says an earlier report of 45% was incorrect.)
• Destroyed structures: 22 destroyed and 3 damaged
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: 12 — two civilians and 10 firefighters
• Cause: Spark from heavy equipment
• Personnel working on fire: 771

Evacuation map and orders

Evacuation orders are in place for the following areas. Many mandatory evacuations have been downgraded:

• Robinson Ranch neighborhood in Rancho Santa Margarita (downgraded to a voluntary evacuation warning)
• Rancho Carrillo
• Hot Springs Canyon
• Casper’s Park
• Blue Jay Campground
• Falcon Campground
• San Juan Campground
• Ortega Highway corridor

Evacuation warnings have been issued for communities in both Orange and Riverside counties. See a complete list.

Evacuation shelters

Orange County

• Orange County Fairgrounds: 88 Fair Drive; Costa Mesa (large animals)
• Saddleback Church, 1 Purpose Drive in Lake Forest, is the new long-term care shelter as of 12 noon Friday. The church is able to co-locate pets.
• Los Alamitos Race Course: 4961 Katella Avenue, Cypress (large animals)
• Nohl Ranch Saddle Club: 6352 E. Nohl Ranch Rd. Anaheim (large animals)
• Ralph’s Supermarket parking lot, 31841 Santa Margarita Parkway; Rancho Santa Margarita (small animals)
• OC Animal Care, 1630 Victory Road; Tustin (small animals)

Riverside County

Bridge Fire (LA and San Bernardino counties)

For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:

The Bridge Fire, the largest wildfire currently burning in Southern California, ignited on Sunday afternoon in the Angeles National Forest and has burned tens of millions of acres this week. Fire officials say that 20 homes were destroyed in Mt. Baldy, 13 homes in Wrightwood and five cabins in wilderness areas.

On Friday, residents in Wrightwood are being warned not to drink tap water or use it for cooking.

The Wrightwood water system may have fire-related contamination, including harmful chemicals like benzene or other “volatile” substances, according to Golden State Water Company. Drinking the water could cause illness.

The basics

• Acreage: 53,636 acres as of Saturday afternoon
• Containment: 3%
• Destroyed structures: 20 in Mount Baldy, 13 in Wrightwood
• Cause: Under investigation
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: None reported
• Personnel working on fire: 2,104
• Fire history: Much of the area hasn’t burned since the early 2000s, meaning there’s roughly a quarter-century of fuel buildup.

Evacuation orders and map

Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas:

• Entire community of Wrightwood.
• San Antonio Heights and Upland from the foothills south to the 210.
• Piñion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to Los Angeles County.
• Piñion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to the Los Angeles County line.
• Lone Pine Canyon from the community of Wrightwood to Highway 138/ Lone Pine Canyon Road south to the forest.
• East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort (cafe, mobile home park, campground) and River Community (near the resort).
• Mount Baldy Road, all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mount Baldy Resort.
• Baldy Village from San Antonio Heights to Wrightwood and east to Cucamonga Peak.

Evacuation centers

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds (people), 14800 Seventh St. in Victorville. Call (800) 733-2767 (people)
• Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center (people), 15556 Summit Ave. in Fontana. Call (909) 854-5100 (people)
• Pomona Fairplex (people), 601 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona (Enter Gate 3, corner of McKinley and White).
• Devore Animal Shelter (animals), 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino. Call (909) 386-9820, or after hours: (800) 472-5609
• Palmdale Animal Care Center (small animals), 38550 Sierra Hwy in Palmdale.
• Lancaster Animal Care Center (small animals), 5210 W Ave. I in Lancaster.
• Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (large animals), 2551 W Avenue H in Lancaster. Call (562) 706-8581 prior to arrival.

Road closures

• State Route 138 closed from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road
• State Route 2 closed from Big Pines to State Route 138.
• 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

Line Fire (San Bernardino County)

For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:

The Line Fire began more than a week ago, and has forced evacuations in Big Bear, Running Springs and other mountain communities. More than 73,000 structures — including homes and businesses — have been threatened by this fire.

Authorities arrested Justin Wayne Halstenberg, a contract delivery driver from Norco, late Tuesday on suspicion of Arson. San Bernardino sheriff’s officials allege that Halstenberg intentionally started the fire near Base Line Street and Alpine Street in the city of Highland.

Halstenberg is facing nine charges, including aggravated arson, arson causing great bodily injury, arson of forest land, and arson of residence. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, Sept. 16.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus said that investigators were looking into the possibility that Halstenberg may be responsible for setting other fires.

The basics

• Acreage: 38,201 acres as of Saturday afternoon.
• Containment: 25%
• Cause: Alleged arson
• Destroyed structures: 1
• Damaged structures: 3
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: 3 firefighters
• Assigned personnel: 3,900

Evacuation map and orders

Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for the following areas:

• Areas of Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane and Shoreline South to Bluff Lake Basin. Highway 18 is the only exit route toward Lucerne Valley.
• Green Valley Lake north from Highway 18 along Green Valley Road.
• All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue.
• Communities of Running Springs, Arrow Bear Lake, Mountain Home Village, Forrest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all nearby campgrounds.

Evacuation warnings

The following warning have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (authorities say residents who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave immediately):

• The communities of Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Twin Peaks, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment
• The area from Garnett Street east to Bryant Street and Carter Street north to Mill Creek
• The area of ​​Big Bear Valley from the dam to Cactus Road
• Erwin Lake, Sugar Loaf, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, and Fawnskin

Evacuation shelters

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds (people), Building 6 at 14800 7th Street, Victorville
• Jesse Turner Health and Fitness Community Center (people), 15556 Summit Avenue, Fontana
• Devore Animal Shelter (animals), 19777 Shelter Way, Devore

Road closures

According to Cal Fire:

• State Route 38 is closed in both directions between Bryant Street and Lake Williams.
• State Route 18 is closed in both directions between Kuffle Canyon and the Big Bear Dam.
• State Route 330 is closed in both directions between Highland Avenue and Live Oak.

More info on arson arrest

Halstenberg, who was arrested Tuesday, is being held in county jail in lieu of $80,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court, according to jail records.

Sheriff’s officials are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact Detective Jake Hernandez at (909) 425-9793. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or go to wetip.com.

How we’re reporting this

This is a developing story. During the day, Jacob Margolis, Erin Stone, Gillian Morán Pérez, Makenna Sievertson and Libby Rainey, Kevin Tidmars are contributing. Editors are Karina Gacad, Megan Garvey, George Kiriyama, Dana Littlefield and Tiffany Ujiiye. We fact-check everything and rely only on information from credible government sources (think fire, police, officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and/or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.

Resources to prepare and cope with wildfire