California Wildfire Map Shows Where State’s 18 Fires Are Burning

Eighteen wildfires are raging across California, according to a map from the state’s fire agency.
An updated map from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) shows fires burning across the state, with more than half of active incidents in the southern half of the state. Fires range from 15 acres to more than 400,000 acres. Flames ignited as recently as this week for some of the fires, while for others, firefighters have worked to suppress the blazes for months.
Most of the fires started this month, including the Airport Fire, which ignited in Orange County on Monday and has spread to about 9,000 acres in less than 24 hours, Orange County Fire Authority Captain Augie Romo told Newsweek. Multiple agencies are working to douse the flames. One of the top priorities was protecting an antenna farm atop Santiago Peak, Romo said, with firefighters conducting controlled burns in the area early Tuesday morning to eliminate fuel should the flames grow.
Other fires that ignited this week include the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County at nearly 3,000 acres, the Boyles Fire in Lake County at 81 acres, the Wicklow Fire in Amador County at 63 acres and the Train Fire in Kern County at 57 acres.
Firefighters have made progress on most of the state’s wildfires, including the Park Fire, which ignited in July and has consumed more than 429,000 acres. After months of battling the flames, firefighters have reached 99 percent containment.
Other fires, though, are still completely out of control, according to CAL FIRE data. The Airport Fire and the Bridge Fire are both at zero percent contained. The Line Fire, which ignited last week in San Bernardino County and has since spread to more than 26,500 acres that threatens thousands of structures, is only 5 percent contained.
According to a CAL FIRE update from July, this year has been significantly more active than last year.
“This year’s wildfire activity is 2,816% higher than last year, 29 times the amount of acreage burned,” CAL FIRE said at the time. “The numbers are a stark reminder: 95% of wildfires are caused by humans. Stay vigilant—follow fire safety guidelines, maintain defensible space, and report suspicious activities. Let’s prevent fires from accidental sparks like dragging trailer chains or improper campfires. One less spark means one less wildfire.”
The surge in wildfires comes as California battled excessive heat this summer. July was the hottest month the Golden State has ever seen, with temperatures spiking into triple digits for weeks at a time.
Another heat wave just hit southern California, with excessive heat warnings still in place on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
When coupled with the wet spring, CAL FIRE said that the hotter-than-normal temperatures have “resulted in the vegetation being more susceptible to ignition and fire spread than has been observed in previous years.”