As least 13 people have been injured in three major southern California wildfires that broke out this week during a scorching heatwave. Firefighters battling the blazes, already stretched to the limits by a challenging summer, were among the injured.
The Bridge fire in the Angeles national forest, located north of Glendora, exploded from about 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) on Tuesday to 34,000 acres that evening, according to the Los Angeles Times.
At least 33 homes and six cabins have been destroyed by the Bridge fire, authorities said, adding that the fire is currently threatening 2,500 buildings in an area strapped for personnel with so many fires raging at once.
“As a region, we’re currently at drawdown for fire personnel and resources,” said Anthony Marrone, the Los Angeles county fire chief, adding that authorities have requested assistance from northern California and nearby states.