LOS ALAMITOS, Calif — As of Sept. 8, devastating wildfires started sweeping across California. California has nine main fires and three affecting the southern California area.

The three biggest wildfires are still affecting the SoCal area, and they ignited when temperatures reached triple digits. The fires have been getting easier to contain with the temperatures starting to cool, but there is still a long way to go. 

During these times of fires, thousands and thousands of firefighters risk their lives to put them out.

More than 12,000 people are on mandatory evacuation orders due to fast, uncontrollable flames. Evacuation orders have been set in place in the areas around the fires and shelters provided by Red Cross. The shelters are free and all provide meals, health services and charging stations for those in need.

The three main fires affecting Southern California are the Airport, Bridge and Line fire.

Airport Fire

The Airport Fire started on Sept. 9 in Orange, Riverside, near Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon.

“In Orange County, firefighters used bulldozers, helicopters, and planes to control a rapidly spreading blaze called the Airport Fire that started Monday and spread to about three square miles (eight square kilometers) in only a few hours,” said CNBC News on Sept. 11. 

This fire keeps getting bigger and has burned 25,519 areas in only nine days. The fire at the moment is at 31% containment, and as the Airport Fire keeps expanding, more and more homes are at risk. Since the fire started, 34 structures have been damaged and 160 structures have been destroyed.

So far, the cause of this fire is still under investigation by state officials.

Bridge Fire

The Bridge Fire is currently located in Los Angeles and started on Camp Bonita Road, east of Camp Williams.

It began on Sept. 8 and has burned 54,795 acres. At the moment, the fire is at 25% containment, but, unfortunately, it has already destroyed 54 structures and has damaged 13 structures. 

“A lot of residents who lost their homes are still in a state of shock. Our role is helping them to navigate that,” said Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who authored the new emergency declaration to send help from federal agencies, which was approved 4-0. Supervisor Janice Hahn (a member of the Los Angeles Country Board of Supervisors in California, representing District 4) was absent. The voting took place in Los Angeles.

As of Sept. 17, three injuries caused by this fire have been reported, but reports are still waiting to be finalized.

Line Fire 

The Line Fire started Sept. 5 in San Bernardino. The fire ignited near Baseline St. and Alpine St. in Highland.

 It has burned 39,111 acres and is at 49% containment as of Tuesday, Sept. 17. 

Currently, over 4,000 fire personnel are helping contain the Line Fire. Governor Gavin Newson announced that the National Guard will give many resources to help fight the fire.

“As the Line Fire continues to pose a threat to San Bernardino communities, we’re pouring resources into this incident aggressively by deploying more air and ground support through the California National Guard. This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their backs,” Newson said.

They are using four UH-60 helicopters for dropping water, two aircraft C-130 with MAFFS fighting system, 80 soldiers and one military police to help with traffic control in areas of evacuation. All of these have been assigned to help Cal Fire.

“Over 36,000 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings and others, are threatened by the fire, and thousands are forced to evacuate,” said Sara Chernikoff and Julia Gomez from USA Today.

So far, three injuries have been reported, one building has been destroyed and three building structures were severely damaged.

Make sure to keep safe, Griffins, and stay alert about fires affecting those around us.

(All information about the fires is based on data from Tuesday, Sept. 17.)