With Southern California’s 3 big wildfires just about out, an update on the havoc they’ve caused

The three major wildfires that swept through parts of Southern California last month are nearly extinguished, having blackened an estimated 122,382 acres to date.

The flames caused the most damage the Angeles, San Bernadino and Cleveland National Forests, where dry brush and vegetation functioned as kindling. The fire also breached freeways and leveled more than 100 homes across the region.

“Firefighters are pleased for all the communities that were saved, but our hearts do break for anybody who experienced a loss of their home, property or business,” Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Here is the status of each blaze:

Line fire

Northeast of Highland in San Bernardino County, the wildfire has claimed 43,978 acres as of Friday, Oct. 11, and the U.S. Forest Service says it is 94% contained, meaning officials say only 6% of its perimeter could expand.

Evacuation warnings, when people are told to be ready to leave if necessary, were in place for Seven Oaks, Barton Flats, and Pinezanita.

Highway 330 from Highland Ave to Highway 18 remained closed.

There were a few pockets of land slightly smoking, said Sonny Saghera, a spokesman for the California Interagency Incident Management Team Four. Some smoke may still be visible.

The San Bernardino National Forest has closed the area in and around where Line fire invaded until the end of November. Forest spokesperson Gustavo Bahena could not provide an exact acreage of the area, but the closure does affect several heliports, picnic areas, trailheads and campgrounds.

A man was arrested on suspicion of intentionally starting the fire, but the method used to spark the blaze was not known.

Airport fire

In south Orange and Riverside counties, the fire is 100% contained after burning 23,526 acres, Cal Fire says.

Road closures: Trabuco Creek Road, Maple Springs Road, North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway, and Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway.

Ortega has reopened in Riverside County in the area where the fire ravaged El Cariso Village, but drivers are advised to drive with extra caution as repair is ongoing.

The Cleveland National Forest has temporarily closed parts of the Trabuco Ranger District until Oct. 15, 2025. Around 10 roads and 14 trails, including Holy Jim Trail, are included in the closure.

Spokesman Nathan Judy said that crews will be doing fire suppression work and preparing for this winter’s rainfall in the area. The closure could be reevaluated and possibly reduced depending on the amount of work needed.

All evacuation orders related to the Airport Fire have been lifted.

The director of Orange County Public Works, whose crews accidentally started the blaze while using heavy machinery near a remote control airfield in the canyon, left his position on Sept. 26.

Bridge fire

Having charred 54,878 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, north of Claremont and extending beyond Angeles Crest Highway, containment was at 99% as of Friday, according to Cal Fire.

There were various roads still closed. For details provided by Cal Fire: fire.ca.gov/incidents.

No evacuation warnings or orders were still in place, said Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for the Angeles National Forest.

But parts of the forest, including areas near Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy, are closed until further notice. The closures were issues in September, but will be updated in the next couple weeks, Dierkes said.

However, Dierkes did said portions could open back up sooner. She said it’s not unusual for a larger area around a wildfire to be temporarily closed so that officials can thoroughly assess the swath for the public’s safety.

“And then, at a later date, we may go ahead and make that closure area smaller,” she explained. “Because some of the areas may be able to be open to the public.”

If you see some smoke kicking up from the fire’s footprint, that’s to be expected, especially when it’s warm and dry outside, Dierkes said. She added that authorities still want to know about smoke and encouraged the public to it.

The Bridge fire’s cause was still under investigation.