A huge wildfire, called the Line Fire, is burning out of control in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. As of early Sunday, the fire has already burned over 17,000 acres and is spreading fast due to extreme heat. The fire, which started late last week, grew quickly this weekend. It has forced people to evacuate from the mountain town of Running Springs, which has around 5,000 residents. The nearby city of Highland and the area around Lake Arrowhead are also under evacuation orders or warnings.
The fire threatens over 35,000 homes and important infrastructure. The blaze is moving quickly through dry, steep terrain and dense vegetation. On Saturday, it created its thunderstorm, with lightning and strong winds making the fire even harder to control. Southern California is experiencing a severe heat wave, with temperatures reaching 105 to 110 degrees. The fire is spreading quickly due to the dry vegetation and powerful winds.
Firefighters are facing a tough situation with hot, unstable weather expected to continue. Cooler weather is predicted for midweek, but it may bring strong winds that could worsen the fire. In addition, the Davis Fire near Reno, Nevada, has burned 1,500 acres and destroyed several buildings, leading to more evacuations. Across the western U.S., 70 large fires are burning, including in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with more challenges ahead due to wind and dry conditions.