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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
7 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
11 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.
Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California fire season off to a furious start and experts say it's just the beginning
Wildfire season in Southern California got off to an ominous start this weekend, with several fires sparking across Riverside and San Bernardino counties' parched landscapes, highlighting concerns for much of the Golden State this summer and fall. On Monday, firefighters continued battling the Wolf fire near Banning, which had forced hundreds to evacuate. The blaze had grown to 1,400 acres, and was 10% contained, according to an update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. At least two additional areas were ordered to evacuate overnight, officials said, on top of some 750 people who had already been put under evacuation warnings or orders Sunday. An emergency shelter had been set up for evacuees at Hemet High School. The fire broke out as temperatures spiked in areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties over the weekend. Though winds weren't particularly strong or the humidity remarkably low, much of California's landscape is primed to burn — after a below-average rainy season in Central and Southern California, vegetation is desiccated, setting the stage for an active fire season. 'Just because things have been so dry and we haven't had that meaningful rainfall that we need, that's why we're starting to see fires about to break out,' said Sam Zuber, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego. 'Things are just really dry out there.' Zuber said those triple-digit temperatures in the Southland's deserts and high 90s for the Inland Empire will begin to fall through Wednesday, which could help ease some of the conditions for firefighters. But, she said, the landscape will remain bone-dry. Just this weekend, Cal Fire responded to nine new fires across the state, including multiple fires in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and up north. However the Wolf fire remained, by far, the largest. Cal Fire officials said Monday morning that crews made 'good progress' on the Wolf fire overnight and expect to continue to push back the fire with multiple aircraft and hundreds of firefighters on the ground. The fire broke out near the intersection of Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail a little after 3 p.m. Sunday, according to the agency. The Mindy wildfire near Aguanga also started Sunday, and was measured at about 100 acres by Monday morning, and almost 70% contained, according to Cal Fire. The Mandalay fire in the Jurupa Valley also ignited Sunday, growing to 63 acres with no containment, per the latest Cal Fire reports. Near Devore, the Cable fire broke out in the Cable Canyon Sunday, but remained at about 15 acres Monday morning, with 15% containment. Cal Fire officials reported that one firefighter there had been taken to the hospital for a heat-related injury. On Saturday, the Lake fire forced more than 100 people to evacuate Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, after the fire erupted near the reservoir. It remained at 478 acres and 15% contained as of Monday morning, but Cal Fire reported crews had been able to stop its forward progress. The Smiley fire near Ordway also broke out Saturday, reaching 83 acres. It was 100% contained though by Monday morning, according to Cal Fire. With so many ongoing fires, officials had issued an air quality alert Monday for the Riverside County mountains, Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass including Palm Springs and Idyllwild. '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 weather service warned. '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.' Officials were also concerned that much of inland Northern California — from the eastern Mendocino National Forest to Shasta, Tehama and Trinity counties — could soon see increased wildfire activity. The region was upgraded to a red flag warning for Monday and Tuesday, with the weather service warning that thunderstorms and winds could create dangerous conditions. 'Lightning can create new fire starts and [that] may combine with gusty outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity,' the red flag warning said.
