Starting Sept. 5, Southern California began experiencing rapid wildfires. During wildfire season, September and October are the most damaging months for California. The three most extensive active fires are the Line, Bridge and Airport fires; California Baptist University is located in the center of these fires.
The Line fire sparked at 6:33 p.m. on Sept. 5; investigators have confirmed that arson is the cause of the fire. A resident of Norco, Calif., about 20 minutes from campus, has been accused of setting the Line fire. The fire has spread 39,232 acres and is currently 83% contained.
Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit Public Information Office X, formerly known as the Twitter account @CALFIREBDU, keeps the public updated on the fire’s conditions.
On Sept. 25, @CALFIREBDU posted on X, “There was minimal fire activity across the Line Fire Wednesday, though there was still some smoldering and isolated flareups.”
About an hour and a half from CBU in the Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, the Bridge fire continues to burn. During the afternoon of Sept. 8, this fire erupted and spread 54,878 acres. The Bridge fire has reached a containment level of 97%. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Angeles National Forest posts regular updates on their X account.
According to a post by @Angeles_NF, firefighters will persist in cleanup efforts, observing smoke and suppressing scattered heat areas.
The Airport fire began on Sept. 9 due to county public works crew usage of heavy equipment. The fire is located in both Orange and Riverside counties, about 50 minutes from campus. Flames spread over 23,526 acres and are currently 95% contained.
The Cleveland National Forest X account posted a fire update on Sept. 25. In this post, they included a document from the Orange County Fire Authority, which outlines their current plans of action.
“A Type 3 Incident Management Team is now in command of the Airport Fire and will begin its first full day of operations… Some fireline work remains in order to achieve the 100% containment goal, and it is progressing. Most of this fireline work is being focused on the north side of the fire.”
Wildfires can cause many health concerns. The smoke from these fires can affect people’s bodies. A person can experience trouble breathing, asthma attacks, headaches, chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Anyone can get sick from excessive smoke, but some people are at higher risk of illness due to wildfires. People with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, pregnant women, children and responders are at greater risk of experiencing health problems.
Landon Cole, a freshman majoring in health science – pre-physician assistant, lived about five minutes from the Line fire and expressed concerns about the lingering smoke.
“I’m also worried about the lingering smoke and the health issues that follow, which are starting to get worse because of recent rain. The smoke was so bad all around us that it made it hard to see and even breathe,” Cole said.
The aftermath of wildfires is also a serious issue. Forest fires burn vegetation and kill animals; sometimes, wildfires cause animals to end up outside their typical habitat.
Once the flames are gone, it is also a struggle to rebuild the number of trees and greenery that were once there. Air quality is affected by the smoke, even in areas miles away. Ash and particles can damage water quality. Floods and rain after a fire can carry debris into bodies of water, further contaminating them.
Macy Lacanlale, sophomore applied theology major, also lives close to the Line fire and explained her concerns about regrowth in the area.
“My biggest concerns surrounding the Line fire are whether or not regrowth will happen in the next few months. There were mass amounts of wildlife and geography damaged, and more often than not, mudslides can happen if there are no barriers in the way,” Lacanlale said.
Wildfires are sadly common during these next two months in California. It’s essential to keep an eye on current fires and work hard to prevent new fires. During fire season, keeping yourself safe is important; check city air quality during and after fires in case smoke increases poor quality. Keep flammables away from dry ground to prevent the spread of human-caused fires.
