California's Line Fire smoke degrades air quality to 'very unhealthy,' sends thousands fleeing flames
Air quality values reached the 150s on Tuesday morning in San Bernardino and Highland, with "very unhealthy" air quality. The Line Fire has burned more than 26,400 acres, and nearly 2,000 personnel are fighting the blaze.
Line Fire degrades air quality to 'very unhealthy' levels in California
Wildfire smoke blowing in from the Line Fire in San Bernardino, California has created unhealthy air in Ontario and Los Angeles. The fire has burned more than 20,500 acres and is even creating its own weather.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. – Hot temperatures continue to fuel Line Fire activity in San Bernardino County, California, and residents are being told to stay indoors to avoid unhealthy and even hazardous air quality caused by the wildfire smoke.
Nearly 2,000 firefighters and personnel are battling the blaze, threatening neighborhoods and more than 38,000 structures, including many homes. Over the weekend, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for at least nine communities threatened by the Line Fire, which includes about 8,800 structures.
On Tuesday, CAL Fire officials said the blaze has consumed more than 26,400 acres and remains at 5% containment. The fire started on Sept. 5 and exploded in size over the weekend, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a state of emergency in San Bernardino County.
CAL Fire officials said vegetation in the fire area remains "critically dry." Stronger winds are forecast on Tuesday, which could help the fire quickly spread. The Line Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, making access challenging as firefighters work to build control lines.
![A hillside burns during the Line Fire in Mountain Home Village, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.]()
Image 1 of 6A hillside burns during the Line Fire in Mountain Home Village, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. A fast-growing wildfire forcing evacuations in Southern California shows the danger the state now faces, as record-smashing heat waves dry out the landscape just as the Santa Ana wind season is due to begin. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![Firefighters with the Mill Creek Hotshots monitor fire activity during the Line Fire in Big Bear, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. A fast-growing wildfire forcing evacuations in Southern California shows the danger the state now faces, as record-smashing heat waves dry out the landscape just as the Santa Ana wind season is due to begin. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images]()
Image 2 of 6Firefighters with the Mill Creek Hotshots monitor fire activity during the Line Fire in Big Bear, California, US, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. A fast-growing wildfire forcing evacuations in Southern California shows the danger the state now faces, as record-smashing heat waves dry out the landscape just as the Santa Ana wind season is due to begin. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images ( )
![A water-dropping helicopter battles the Line Fire growing on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California.]()
Image 3 of 6A water-dropping helicopter battles the Line Fire growing on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California. The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images) ( )
![Firefighters react as the Line Fire grows on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California.]()
Image 4 of 6Firefighters react as the Line Fire grows on September 8, 2024 in San Bernardino, California. The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images) ( )
![The terrain is burned on both sides of Highway 330 as smoke fills the air after the Line fire burned the mountain landscape on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California.]()
Image 5 of 6The terrain is burned on both sides of Highway 330 as smoke fills the air after the Line fire burned the mountain landscape on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ( )
![Erratic winds create small firestorms along the side of Highway 330 during the Line fire on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California.]()
Image 6 of 6Erratic winds create small firestorms along the side of Highway 330 during the Line fire on September 8, 2024 in Highland, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ( )
Wildfire smoke from the Line Fire and several other brush fires in California prompted air quality alerts this week, which were extended through Tuesday night. The alerts include San Bernardino, Big Bear Lake, Palm Springs and Ontario.
"If you smell smoke or see ash due to a wildfire, remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter, if feasible. Avoid vigorous physical activity and run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier," the South Coast AQMD wrote.
WHICH CITIES HAVE THE WORST AIR POLLUTION IN AMERICA?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) uses six levels to rank air quality, from "good" to "hazardous."
According to Airnow.gov, AQI values reached the 150s on Tuesday morning in San Bernardino and Highland, with "unhealthy" air quality. Outside the fire boundary in East Highland, air quality was "very unhealthy." Areas near Los Angeles were also reaching "unhealthy" air quality levels.
In an aerial view, a mix of rain and smoke from the nearby Line Fire creates a heavy stew of air pollution on September 8, 2024 over San Bernardino, California. Thousands of people fled the fire, particularly from mountaintop communities imminently threatened by flames racing up thousands of vertical feet toward them. The fire began under heatwave conditions and has grown to 20,553 acres with zero percent contained. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
West of the fire and associated air quality alert, heat alerts are in place from Los Angeles to the Mexico border. Excessive Heat Warnings were issued through Tuesday evening for San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties.
Dangerously hot temperatures are forecast again on Tuesday, with triple-digit temperatures in the San Diego County valleys, San Bernardino and Riverside.
Line Fire produces its own weather
In addition to creating hazardous air to breathe, the Line Fire is creating its own weather through mighty pyrocumulus clouds.
Line Fire produces massive 'fire clouds' over San Bernardino
Video shows smoke from the Line Fire in San Bernardino County on Sept. 8, 2024 extending up and creating pyrocumulus clouds.
Enormous smoke plumes create pyrocumulus or flammagenitus clouds. These so-called "fire clouds" can form due to extreme heating of a column of air, destabilizing the atmosphere. The fire clouds can even create lightning and rain, as well as help spread embers. The same clouds can also form over volcanoes.