LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Three wildfires burning in three Southern California counties are growing quickly as firefighters work to contain the blazes.
The Line Fire erupted last week and has burned more than 37,000 acres through rough mountain terrain in the Highland area of San Bernardino County. One person has been arrested for allegedly starting the fire.
The Airport Fire in Orange County has grown to over 23,412 acres after since it was accidentally sparked by county public works crews who were trying to move boulders in the area.
The Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest has charred more than 51,100 acres since it erupted Sunday. It has destroyed more than 30 homes in Mount Baldy and Wrightwood.
Big Bear Valley is under an evacuation warning due to the Line Fire.
City officials say those planning to leave the mountain from Big Bear should use State Route 18 toward Lucerne Valley.
Smoke and ash from the Line Fire caused the air quality to plummet to unhealthy levels, prompting Redlands and Yucaipa unified school districts to close Monday.
While Victoria Elementary School was closed, just four miles away Bing Wong Elementary in the San Bernardino City Unified School District remained in session. When outside, students wore masks as they went between classes.
The school district said in a notice to parents, "we will maintain protocols for inclement weather due to the heat and outdoor air quality, therefore, students will remain indoors ...
Outside sporting activities such as practice and competitions are being canceled as well. "
Dr. Laren Tan, a pulmonologist with Loma Linda University Medical Center is advising his patients and sensitive groups to remain indoors.
"The best way to stay safe indoors is one, turning on your air conditioning; two just having HEPA filters of some sort to filter out all these particulates that are floating around and definitely for children we want to keep them inside," Tan said.
A new brush fire erupted Monday afternoon in the Trabuco Canyon area. An evacuation warning has been issued.
Officials said a chance of thunderstorms expected throughout Monday could pose even further problems for firefighters on the ground.
"The latest challenge has been those thunderstorms, and we're just keeping up with them," said Cal Fire's Brent Pascua. "We're making sure that we have our firefighters in all different directions, so if it switches directions like it did yesterday, we're there to meet it."
Thunderstorms were creating down drafts, which are pushing the blaze in unpredictable directions, according to Chris Prater with San Bernardino County Fire.
"Firefighters are fighting a very tough battle," Prater said. "They're fighting in 100-plus degree temperatures. Very steep terrain. And some new weather conditions today with thunderstorms that came in."
