Wildfire burns Southern California homes

Fire season could be starting early in Southern California while some of the area’s firefighters are away helping with the 92 other wildfires in the western United States. A blaze that began Wednesday in San Bernardino County burned hundreds of acres and at least 12 homes and buildings northeast of Los Angeles. The fire threatened about 600 homes and buildings and prompted evacuation orders for 1,000 people. Firefighters used bulldozers and airdrops to divert the fire from two small communities in its path. They appeared to have the fire under control by nightfall.

If the fire is contained, what’s the problem? Southern California typically does not see significant wildfires until later in the year, when strong winds flow to the coast. With dry weather in the forecast and fewer firefighters in the area, the state’s southern region could soon face the same dangers as Northern California.

Dig deeper: Read Sarah Schweinsberg’s report on the dangers of wildfires to California residents and policy efforts to combat them.