More than 320,000 in California Told To Keep Windows Closed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Wildfire smoke in Southern California has prompted officials to issue an air quality alert for roughly 320,000 people until 6 p.m. local time on Monday.
A spokesperson with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) told Newsweek the advisory could be extended, and if so, an extension would be issued by Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
The smoke is coming from two wildfires, the Wolf fire in Banning Pass and the Mindy fire in the Anza area, the AQMD advisory said. Both fires ignited on Sunday afternoon.
As of the most recent update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Wolf fire in Riverside County is at 1,400 acres and 0 percent contained. The Mindy Fire, also in Riverside County, is at 100 acres and 70 percent contained.
What to Know
The air quality alert is impacting the cities of Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Palm Desert Country, La Quinta, and Coachella. The most recent U.S. Census data estimates that around 320,000 people live in the impacted areas.
Wildfire smoke can cause harmful fine particle pollution levels that affect everyone, the alert said. People are encouraged to take several actions to protect their health against the impacts of smoke: remain indoors with windows and doors closed; avoid intense outdoor physical activity; run the air conditioner and/or an air purifier; wear an N-95 mask if you must spend time outdoors; do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers; avoid other sources of pollution like fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling, and gas-powered equipment.
A stock photo shows a helicopter fighting a forest fire.
A stock photo shows a helicopter fighting a forest fire.
Toa55/Getty
"Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing," the alert said. "Everyone can be affected, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk."
The air quality alert will remain in place until 6 p.m. local time Monday evening.
An extreme heat warning also remains in place for part of Southern California on Monday.
Northern California also faces a wildfire threat, with a red flag warning in place.
"Lightning from dry thunderstorms can create new fire starts and combined with gusty winds may cause a fire to rapidly grow in Oregon and northern California," a forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
What People Are Saying
South Coast AQMD in an air quality alert: "Based on webcam and satellite imagery, winds are transporting the smoke from the Wolf and Mindy wildfires to the north into the Banning Pass and San Bernardino mountains, and into the San Jacinto wilderness and Hemet."
CAL FIRE in an update about the Wolf Fire: "Firefighters made good progress over night. Multiple aircraft along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground, will continue to establish containment lines. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place."
What Happens Next
The cause of each fire remains under investigation. Evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted for the Mindy fire but remain in place for the Wolf fire.
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Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
What's burning in California: Wolf and Juniper fires among over a dozen in 72 hours
Fire season has begun with a bang in California, where more than a dozen wildfires have ignited since Saturday — the largest of which are in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, authorities said. Officials warn that the fiery events of the last three days are a prelude of what is to come over the next few months as the state moves from an usually dry winter and spring into what is expected to be a hot summer and fall. And although the majority of the ongoing fires are in the Southland, crews are also staging in Northern California, where a red flag warning is in effect in several counties through 8 p.m. Tuesday. Here is the latest information on the current fires burning across the Golden State, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fast-growing Wolf fire erupted Sunday afternoon, quickly growing to more than 2,400 acres and forcing evacuations and road closures near Banning. Fire crews established 30% containment by 5:45 p.m. Monday. Three-hundred fire personnel, four helicopters and 70 engines continue to work to together to get a handle on the blaze, which began in the area of Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Evacuation orders remained in effect for most areas of Banning and Cabazon south of Interstate 10 on Monday. A map of the communities affected by the warnings is available here. An evacuation shelter for affected households been established at Hemet High School, at 41701 E. Stetson Ave., with an animal evacuation site at 581 S. Grand Ave in San Jacinto. The Juniper fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. Monday in an unincorporated mountainous area of Perris, prompting evacuation orders and warnings in the nearby communities of Camelot Hills and Good Hope. On Monday evening, evacuation orders applied to around 633 people and 261 structures and evacuation warnings applied to around 2,507 people and 1,579 structures, according to a Cal Fire spokesperson. Fire crews halted forward progress and reached 30% containment of the 688-acre fire by 5:45 p.m. Monday. Twenty-four engines, two helicopters and a total of 183 firefighting personnel continued to combat the blaze in steep hillside territory. Crews were set to remain on scene overnight and into Tuesday to bolster containment. A 'care and reception center' for affected families was established at Citrus Hill High School, at 18150 Wood Road in Perris. A map of evacuation areas can be found here. Fire crews reached 40% containment on the 483-acre Lake fire, burning near Silverwood Lake, on Monday evening. The fire ignited around 4 p.m. Saturday near State Highway 173 and Cedar Springs Dam Trail. An evacuation warning remained in effect in the hillside zones north of Silverwood Lake and south of the community of Lugo, while the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area remains closed to the public. A map of affected areas is available here. Crews stopped the forward spread of the fire on Monday morning and remained focused on strengthening control lines in areas where the fire was still active. Crews reached 25% containment on the 223-acre Sims fire in Lassen County on Monday evening. The fire ignited around 1:30 p.m. Monday along McAfee Road in Herlong, near Honey Lake and the California-Nevada border. Sixty personnel and one helicopter are assigned to the blaze. Fire crews got a strong handle on the 103-acre Mindy fire in a remote area of Riverside County on Monday, prompting the lifting of regional evacuation orders. The brush fire ignited shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday near Decoursey Road and Minday Lane, north of Aguanga. The fire was 80% contained by Monday evening. Fire crews reached 100% containment on the 83-acre Mandalay fire on Monday. The blaze ignited in a brushy area west of Riverside Municipal Airport shortly before 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Fire crews reached 100% containment on the 83-acre Smiley fire on Monday. The fire started by the intersection of San Timoteo Canyon Road and Smiley Road south of Redlands on Saturday. The 26-acre Kenyon fire ignited in Shasta County on Sunday; the 26-acre Quarry fire ignited in San Joaquin County on Monday; the 24-acre Perch fire ignited is Siskiyou County on Monday; the 20-acre Marysville fire ignited in Yuba County on Sunday; the 20-acre Llano fire ignited in San Luis Obispo County on Saturday and is fully contained; and the 19-acre Cable fire ignited in San Bernardino County on Sunday.
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Newsweek
California Fire Evacuation Map Shows Where People Told to 'Leave Now'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Evacuation orders have been expanded across Southern California as the Wolf Fire continues to burn. Newsweek reached out to the Riverside County Fire Department by email for comment. Why It Matters The Wolf Fire ignited on Sunday in Riverside County and quickly grew to become the largest wildfire currently burning in California. As of the most recent update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the fire was 1,400 acres in size and 0 percent contained. What To Know Several evacuation warnings and orders have been issued. In a recent update, Cal Fire said even more evacuation warnings have been issued. The fire is burning at Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail. Evacuations are mostly in place south of I-10 and east of Lamb Canyon Road. According to Cal Fire's most recent update, there have been no civilian or firefighter fatalities and no structures harmed. A map shows where evacuation orders, in red, and evacuation warnings, in yellow, have been issued for the Wolf Fire. A map shows where evacuation orders, in red, and evacuation warnings, in yellow, have been issued for the Wolf Fire. CAL FIRE Evacuation orders, in which there is an "immediate threat to life," have been issued for the following zones: BAN-0538B, BAN-0651-A, MRF-0539, MRF-0749, MRF-0751, MRF-TWINPINES2, RVC-0650, RVC-0653, RVC-0750, RVC-0828, RVC-POPPETFLATS1, RVC-POPPETFLATS4 and RVC-TWINPINES1. "This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," Cal Fire said. "The area is lawfully closed to public access." Evacuation warnings, in which there is a "potential threat to life and/or property," have been issued for the following zones: BAN-0651-B, BAN-0538-A, BAN-0636, BAN-0647, BAN-0649, BAN-0530, BAN-0525, BMT-0827, RVC-0528, RVC-0652, RVC-0541, RVC-0654, RVC-0655, RVC-0830, RVC-0898, RVC-1000, RVC-1001, RVC-POPPETFLATS2, RVC-POPPETFLATS3 and RVC-VISTAGRANDE. "Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now," the Cal Fire website said for the areas in the evacuation warnings. An evacuation shelter has been set up at Hemet High School at 41701, E Stetson Avenue in Hemet, California. An animal evacuation shelter is in place at 581 S Grand Avenue in San Jacinto, California. Smoke from the wildfire was impacting air quality across parts of Southern California on Monday. The fire's cause is still under investigation. What People Are Saying Cal Fire, in an 11 a.m. PT update: "Firefighters made good progress over night. Multiple aircraft along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground, will continue to establish containment lines. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place." Northern California is also at risk for fires, with a forecast from the National Weather Service saying: "Lightning from dry thunderstorms can create new fire starts and combined with gusty winds may cause a fire to rapidly grow in Oregon and northern California." What Happens Next Firefighters will continue battling the Wolf Fire. Three hundred personnel are fighting the fire, according to Cal Fire.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Newsweek
More than 320,000 in California Told To Keep Windows Closed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wildfire smoke in Southern California has prompted officials to issue an air quality alert for roughly 320,000 people until 6 p.m. local time on Monday. A spokesperson with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) told Newsweek the advisory could be extended, and if so, an extension would be issued by Monday afternoon. Why It Matters The smoke is coming from two wildfires, the Wolf fire in Banning Pass and the Mindy fire in the Anza area, the AQMD advisory said. Both fires ignited on Sunday afternoon. As of the most recent update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Wolf fire in Riverside County is at 1,400 acres and 0 percent contained. The Mindy Fire, also in Riverside County, is at 100 acres and 70 percent contained. What to Know The air quality alert is impacting the cities of Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Palm Desert Country, La Quinta, and Coachella. The most recent U.S. Census data estimates that around 320,000 people live in the impacted areas. Wildfire smoke can cause harmful fine particle pollution levels that affect everyone, the alert said. People are encouraged to take several actions to protect their health against the impacts of smoke: remain indoors with windows and doors closed; avoid intense outdoor physical activity; run the air conditioner and/or an air purifier; wear an N-95 mask if you must spend time outdoors; do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers; avoid other sources of pollution like fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling, and gas-powered equipment. A stock photo shows a helicopter fighting a forest fire. A stock photo shows a helicopter fighting a forest fire. Toa55/Getty "Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing," the alert said. "Everyone can be affected, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk." The air quality alert will remain in place until 6 p.m. local time Monday evening. An extreme heat warning also remains in place for part of Southern California on Monday. Northern California also faces a wildfire threat, with a red flag warning in place. "Lightning from dry thunderstorms can create new fire starts and combined with gusty winds may cause a fire to rapidly grow in Oregon and northern California," a forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) said. What People Are Saying South Coast AQMD in an air quality alert: "Based on webcam and satellite imagery, winds are transporting the smoke from the Wolf and Mindy wildfires to the north into the Banning Pass and San Bernardino mountains, and into the San Jacinto wilderness and Hemet." CAL FIRE in an update about the Wolf Fire: "Firefighters made good progress over night. Multiple aircraft along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground, will continue to establish containment lines. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place." What Happens Next The cause of each fire remains under investigation. Evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted for the Mindy fire but remain in place for the Wolf fire.
