What to Know

  • The Gold Fire in San Bernardino National Forest was estimated at about 350 acres late Monday afternoon.
  • The Gold Fire burned more than 300 acres in the San Bernardino County mountains north of Big Bear Lake.
  • The Rosa Fire started Monday in the San Bernardino National Forest between Anza and Pinyon Pines.
  • More than 4,400 wildfires have been reported this year in California, up from 3,800 at this time last year.
  • More than 221,100 acres have burned this year, well beyond the 83,200 acres through July 2024, according to CALFIRE statistics.

Brush fires are burning in the San Bernardino County mountains, and Riverside and Santa Barbara counties as Southern California faces some of the warmest temperatures of the season.

The wildfires have blanketed skies in Los Angeles and surrounding areas with layers of haze, contributing to worsening air quality. Parts of the region can expect temperatures in the high 90s and triple-digits through the middle of this week as firefighters work to increase containment lines.

More than 4,400 wildfires have been reported this year in California, up from 3,800 at this time last year. More than 221,100 acres have burned this year, well beyond the 83,200 acres through July 2024. The five-year average for that time is 4,100 fires and 125,700 acres burned.

Gifford Fire in Santa Barbara County

The state’s largest active fire, the Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, was estimated at more than 72,460 acres.

Evacuation orders and warnings were in effect with containment at 7%. Highway 166 was closed between the 101 Freeway and New Cuyama.

The fire started Friday afternoon near Highway 166 northeast of Santa Maria. The cause remains under investigation.

Rosa Fire in Riverside County

Another brush fire started Monday in the San Bernardino National Forest between Anza and Pinyon Pines. The Rosa Fire burned about 1,200 acres acres and forced the closure of Highway 74.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the fire that started at 12:25 p.m. Monday on the north side of the highway at Santa Rosa Truck Trail. Evacuation orders were issued for the area south of Alpine Village and warnings were in effect for neighboring communities bordering Pinyon Pines, on either side of the highway.

Six Cal Fire air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters made runs on the fire, initially slowing its progress. Winds picked up Monday afternoon through mountain passes, fanning flames.

Both sides of Highway 74 were closed between the junction at Highway 371 in Anza to the west and the area around the Big Horn Golf Club, just south of Palm Desert, spanning almost 25 miles.

Gold Fire near Big Bear

A brush fire broke out Monday morning in the Big Bear area and expanded to more than 300 acres hours later at the start of a warm week in Southern California.

The Gold Fire burning in steep and rugged terrain in San Bernardino National Forest was estimated at about 350 acres Tuesday with no containment. The fire started in a difficult-to-access part of Holcomb Valley north of Big Bear Lake.

Evacuations were in effect for Holcomb Campground.

No structures were threatened. Details about how the fire started were not immediately available.

Firefighters were attacking flames in the San Bernardino County mountains, where a large plume of dark smoke could be seen for miles around.