California wildfires: Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency | LiveNOW from FOX

Andy Mack. We are tracking a trio of fires that have broken out. in Southern California. Late in this summer heat wave the airport Fire the line fire and also the bridge fire all actively burning right now. across the Golden State. I do want to put up some of this video of this dramatic. video. This 1 of the line fire the largest uh the bridge fires, actually the largest 1 in the California at this moment evacuation orders warnings in effect for thousands of residents in Los Angeles. and San Bernardino County. I do want to right now, talk more about this more details on what we know I'm bringing to the conversation. Cal. Fire, battalion chief of Sacramento, Communications. Brent Pascua. Thank you so much for joining us here on live now from Fox. And I know, you're focusing on the region there. The line fire but give us a sense. There are a lot of different resources. for for Cal Fire spread out How may, how does that make it difficult to battle? Some of these blazes yeah, that's correct. We have a ton of resources on all 3 of these fires, Uh, we have over 6,000 uh, men and women from Cal Fire helping to battle these fires. And just here on the line fire, there's over 2,000 firefighters from all over the state. uh working. together to help bring this fire under control. And let's just talk about some of the specifics because, I know there are a trio fires, a lot of different details. but give us some specifics on what you're looking at right now. in terms of the line fire how big is it? And what percentage is it contained? yeah, so we're almost at 25. Acres. uh, in size, We have about, we have 14% containment we've only managed to have 1 house destroyed by fire so far. So we're looking good on that front. Uh but the problem is every day in the afternoon we have these strong up Canyon winds that really fuel this fire and and and uh and and blow it up Canyon make it bigger and and make it a dangerous spot for firefighters. Yeah. very very dangerous And there's also a lot of evacuations in effect warnings uh in effect detail. Those are we expecting to extend some of those evacuations And what do people need to know? Most yeah, we're monitoring those very closely. We like to put those out way ahead of time out of abundance of caution to give people the most time they can get. So they can pack up and leave. uh, especially with these Mountain communities. uh, like you see behind me. Sometimes, there's only 2 ways in and out and 1 of those ways, may get cut off by smoker fire. So we like to get residents out early. know, that is very good to make sure they are safe because like you mentioned those winds can turn. at any moment. And are very dramatic. I do want to put up to some of these images as well. our Fox 11 team GC graciette they're talking about this magic carpet at the Mountain high East appears to be a total loss. this at the bridge fire, but can you talk a little bit about that? because the line fire right there next to the Big bear as well? What are some of these maybe ski resorts doing what other? uh properties? are in in in kind of danger because of these fires? Yeah, any property out in front of these fires is in danger. Uh, They're all influenced by a very similar wins once it starts heating up. the canyon winds that come up during the afternoon heat up. They rise, they bring strong gusts with them and that's what fans the fire fuels it. and and creates it. Uh, allows it to spread faster. Yeah, that's a scary fact to say. And let's talk about the line fire because the California arson, suspect has been arrested. in connection to the spread of this line fire. When you hear that. Maybe what is your reaction? you know, uh, it it's the same. for me. I just have to prioritize. its life property environment I I'm life to do those. that job and I focus on that. I I want to make sure the citizens are safe and that they had a a, a home to come home to. Yeah. that is a very good and of course we are detailing in the last couple weeks. just the Heat in southern. California. triple digits in some spots. How does that make the job of calfire? A little bit more difficult, when you're dealing, not only with these buyers, the winds but the temperatures It's very tough. It it takes a toll on not only the firefighters, the brush. is ready to burn when it's been dried out for numerous days with triple digit temperatures, but you're right with the firefighters. we have to make that work Rest cycle work for us so that we don't get injured ourselves. So when it's that hot, work, production slows down. uh I'm happy to report. The temperature is dropping a few degrees each day so that's helping out a lot. Uh but yeah. it's still really hot out here. Yeah. Very very difficult to. battle. some of those blazes when it's hot And we know we are in Wildfire season and it would be unusual not to see any fires but can you talk about just the historical? context of this because there are 3 fires burning in the Southern California region? We're in Wildfire season. Does this feel uh, is it, is it more so than usual? you know, it's it's kind of all. it kind of all feels too familiar. Uh, when you have these heat waves consecutively, it just makes it just makes it Prime for these fires and that's what we had leading up to this. Uh, week after week of triple digit temperatures. Um, just made the fuels the hills, just ready to burn and all they needed Was that spark yeah, And um, Before I Let You Go, Brent uh, you guys do such a great job there at Cal Fire the resources. very difficult when there are 3 kind of in that same region, what other messages do you have about the public about some of these fires about how you guys are actively battling them? you know, we are getting the resources, we need. to continue to filter in through the state. Uh, we have activated the National Guard to help out on these fires, which is a huge help. And uh to to the citizens out there anyone in an evacuation order or warning. I say it's not worth it to stay and try and fight. uh, you know, get your yourself and your family out. and, uh, that ensures that you're safe and and, and everyone walks away. Yeah. Prior Prioritize your safety. All right, Brent. Thank you so much For all you guys Do I appreciate your Insight uh as you guys continue to battle these Trio fires, we appreciate it as well. Thank you. All right, thank you so much. All right, thank you so much for that conversation here on live. now. From Fox. Great conversation. as they battle some of these fires and you want to see just some of these dramatic, time, lapse, there from Cal Fire talking about this Blaze. They airport fire. the line fire the bridge fire. all actively burning across the Golden State And as I mentioned earlier, they're talking about an arson suspect arrested in connection with the spread of the line Fire.