Shocking satellite images and videos show Southern California fires exploding
As four fires grew in Southern California, new satellite images show their scale and the amount of smoke pouring east.
The Line, Bridge, Airport and Roblar fires, all of which began in the past week, were responsible for the flames.
Each fire burns within 100 miles of Los Angeles. Reports detail over a dozen injuries and damage to homes.
The image below from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shows the change in smoke from Tuesday, Sept. 10 to Wednesday, Sept. 11.
On the left — the earlier image — the smoke is more concentrated around the fires. On the right — the more recent image — the smoke careens eastward toward Nevada and Arizona.
Read more: Southern California wildfires: Maps, shelters, where to make donations, more
The Bridge fire, the largest of the four, was nearing 50,000 acres in size Wednesday afternoon, and was 0% contained. It began Sunday.
Read more: SoCal fires burn 100,000 acres, destroy dozens of homes and injure 13
The Line fire, around 35,000 acres in size, began Thursday and was 14% contained Wednesday afternoon.
In the posts embedded below, an expert labels the fires and attaches further visuals.
The video below overlays nearby cities, including Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville and Palm Springs.
Sobering satellite imagery of the wildfire outbreak rapidly escalating across Southern California.
This is getting bad. pic.twitter.com/UU3baqNN2s— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) September 10, 2024
The Airport fire began Monday and had burned over 22,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. It was 0%contained.
Read more: Southern California is suddenly besieged by fire. Experts say fall will be worse
Though the danger of fire season is upon us, experts say it will likely get worse.
The impending arrival of hot Santa Ana winds — combined with two years of overgrown vegetation — all but ensure that this fall will be fraught with danger.
Read more: California wildfires map
“The odds definitely favor a continuation — and maybe even an escalation — of Southern California fire season over the next couple of months,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA.
Times staff writer Hayley Smith contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
