California: Fire near Los Angeles spreads quickly and destroys houses

In the USA, Los Angeles A forest fire spread rapidly and destroyed numerous houses. As the authorities in the US state of California announced on Wednesday, the Bridge Fire, which broke out on Sunday in the mountains north of Los Angeles, has engulfed the towns of Wrightwood and Mount Baldy as well as a ski resort.

At least 33 houses and several vacation homes were destroyed. Authorities ordered extensive evacuations. “We live in the ravine. The fire came directly there and we couldn’t take anything with us,” said resident Jenny Alaniz on local station KTLA. “I just got the dogs out. Our house is going to burn,” she said, crying. A journalist from the AFP news agency saw charred remains of houses and vehicles in Wrightwood.

The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles and had covered an area of ​​1,600 hectares by Tuesday. During the night, the fire then spread explosively: by Wednesday afternoon, 49,000 hectares were already burning. The flames ate through dense undergrowth and spread to the community of Wrightwood in San Bernardino County and the Mountain High ski resort. The damage to the ski resort was apparently minor. “All major lifts and buildings survived with little or no damage,” the operators explained.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said three people, including one of his deputies, were trapped by flames in a remote area near Mount Baldy. The rescue operation that has begun is being hampered by thick smoke and blocked roads. The Airport Fire has also continued to spread in southeast Los Angeles. According to the fire department, the fire has now destroyed more than 8,900 hectares of land and damaged some houses. Seven people were injured.

Climate change promotes forest fires

The fire had eaten through ravines and mountains, including Santiago Peak, where several radio towers stand. The masts, however, apparently remained largely undamaged. Several holiday resorts in the mountains were evacuated and access roads were closed. Police in San Bernardino County say they have arrested a man on suspicion of arson. The fires were sparked by a heat wave that lasted for days in the south. California’s On Wednesday the heat eased somewhat.

California has been hit by forest fires repeatedly this summer. Weather reports predict little hope of showers in the coming hours. In view of the global climate crisis, experts have long warned that such fires are becoming more massive and destructive. California is one of the regions that appears to be most affected.