Several communities are under emergency evacuation orders as a wildfire just east of Los Angeles exploded in size overnight with little containment.
As of Monday, the Line Fire in California’s San Bernardino County had scorched over 23,000 acres. It was just 5% contained.
CalFire said more than 36,000 structures are under threat from the blaze as nearly 1,800 firefighters work to stop it. So far, three injuries of fire personnel have been reported.
Fire officials said steep terrain, triple-digit temperatures and heavy fuel loads are all contributing to a difficult fire.
Officials have opened two shelters — one in Victorville and one in Fontana — as most communities along the eastern side of Highway 330 have been ordered to evacuate their homes. A large portion of Highway 18 is closed while the fire rages.
The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified, Bear Valley Unified and Redlands Unified school districts announced all classes would be canceled on Monday due to road closures and poor air quality, which is currently graded as "unhealthy," according to the Air Quality Index.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the county to open more resources, including federal assistance.
Meanwhile, in Nevada, the Davis Fire had torched a reported dozen buildings south of Reno and knocked out power to thousands while crews struggled to establish any containment. The fire had grown to more than 10 square miles on Monday night.
County officials said about 20,000 people had been evacuated, with parts of Reno still under evacuation orders on Monday evening.
