A rapidly spreading wildfire in Los Angeles County has charred over 2,600 acres, prompting evacuation orders and smoke advisories due to poor air quality.
The Summit Fire was still active Saturday morning in northern Los Angeles County, close to the San Bernardino County line in the Antelope Valley, according to officials.
Health officials in Los Angeles County announced on Friday that a smoke advisory had been put in place for certain locations in the county due to another fire near Phelan. This advisory is set to remain until Saturday at 5 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert after the South Coast AQMD noted that “hazardous” air pollution levels could affect “high-elevation areas of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, including Big Bear Lake and Arrowhead Lake.”
Residents in these areas are advised to stay indoors and, if they notice smoke, to run their air conditioners or air purifiers. If smoke causes any health symptoms, seeking medical attention or calling 911 for emergencies is recommended.
Three areas in San Bernardino County are also under evacuation orders, indicating a serious situation.
Weather conditions like high temperatures might have played a role in igniting the wildfires. In Llano, where the fire began, temperatures could soar to around 102 degrees on Saturday, according to AccuWeather.
Zones LAC-E107 and LAC-E127-C are under immediate evacuation orders, while residents in other zones, such as LAC-E107-B and LAC-E126-A, are under advisory and should prepare to evacuate if necessary.
The Antelope Valley Family YMCA in Lancaster is serving as a shelter, and the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter in Palmdale has been designated for small animals.
On Friday, the fire grew alarmingly fast, jumping from 309 acres to 1,600 acres in just a couple of hours.
Sadly, the blaze has also devastated the centuries-old Western Joshua tree, which holds ecological and cultural significance and is protected under California law.
Latest updates on the fire do not present a hopeful outlook for suppressing the flames. The report indicates that the fire is moving toward the burn scar of the Bridge Fire, which may help slow its spread.
Firefighters are actively combating the flames from both air and ground, although the steep terrain complicates access. They will continue to operate through the night, with support from helicopters flying after dark. The hope is that the burn scar will reduce vegetation, thereby aiding in suppression efforts.
