Three Major SoCal Wildfires Latest Hot Button Issue Across Many State & Local Races

Wildfires and wildfire suppression responses emerged as top hot button issues in many Southern California state and local races this week, following the rapid emergence of three major wildfires in and around Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

The first of the major blazes, the Bridge Fire, began on September 8th in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains and spread to over 50,000 acres in only 5 days. The blaze, originally in Los Angeles County, also quickly went over into San Bernadino County. As of Friday, the cause of the fire is currently unknown, with 52,000 acres being scorched. While thousands have been evacuated and 39 structures have been destroyed, no fatalities or injuries have been reported. The Bridge Fire currently is at only 3% containment.

The second fire, the Airport fire, began on September 9th nearby an aviation club. Accidently sparked by an Orange County public works crew, the fire grew to just over 23,000 acres by Friday. Some evacuations have taken place, with 10 injuries currently being reported. The fire is currently blazing in Orange County and Riverside County, inching towards Lake Elsinore. The Airport Fire is at 8% containment as of Friday.

Finally there is the Line Fire. Begun by an arsonist on September 5th in San Bernadino County outside of Highland nearby both San Bernadino and Redlands, the Line Fire quickly grew to 37,743 acres. Justin Wayne Halstenberg was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire earlier this week, just as multiple communities in the area were being evacuated. As of Friday, 3 people have been injured by the fire, with one structure being destroyed. The Line Fire has undergone the most suppression of the three fires, with it being currently at 21% containment.

The fires have stretched CalFire’s resources thin, with multiple states sending fire crews and the California National Guard also now assisting the extinguishing effort. During a speech in Highland on Wednesday, Newsom declared a State of Emergency over the fires, as they were all near populated areas, were growing fast, and had little to no containment.

“California is deploying every available resource to combat these devastating fires, and we’ll continue to work in lockstep with federal and local partners in this herculean effort,” said Newsom. “We are deeply grateful to all the heroic firefighters and first responders on the ground working 24/7 to keep Californians safe. The state has mobilized a massive air and ground response to contain the wildfires and protect communities, including nearly 6,000 boots on the ground; hundreds of engines, dozers and water tankers; and 51 helicopters and 9 fixed-wing aircraft.”

Today, Governor @GavinNewsom proclaimed a state of emergency to support the ongoing response to the #BridgeFire & #AirportFire following federal assistance secured in the last 24hrs.

First responders have been working 24/7 to protect Riverside, Orange & LA mountain communities. pic.twitter.com/gacqSs32Qe

— California Governor (@CAgovernor) September 12, 2024

The severity of the fires, in addition to Newsom’s actions on them and them occurring less than two months to election day, have also made wildfires and wildfire suppression a sudden hot button issue in many races. While wildfires have always been a big issue, with questions around them turning up in debates and in political ads, the three SoCal fires making national news elevated the issue past homelessness, the economy, and housing concerns this week for voters and candidates alike.

For some races, it will mostly be a chance to address the issue more thoroughly, such as the 33rd Congressional District race. Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) currently has a double digit point lead over Republican Tom Herman. But since the District runs right through where the Line Fire partially is and covers cities affected by it, it has become a sudden talking point this week, giving his rival a chance to gain a little ground.

This is even more pronounced in Districts that are considered more swing districts. In the 41st Congressional District, Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) is going against Democrat Will Rollins. As the Airport Fire is currently threatening cities like Lake Elsinore, and the district being home of the possible Line Fire arsonist, Wildfire issues became a sudden top issue, leading both candidates to need to bulk up their responses and what they will be doing about them. The latest polls have Rollins slightly in the lead. For both candidates, this is a chance to really get ahead of the other.

And the wildfire issue also trickles down to more local elections.

“It’s not just the close races where wildfire questions are being added to debates, or where reporters are asking them more about it,” explained San Bernadino County pollster Colt Schaeffer to the Globe on Friday. “Assembly races, state assembly races, and even mayoral and city council races are having these brought up. And remember, the Inland Empire is a mix of heavily Republican and Democratic areas. Traditionally more GOP, but with enough Democrats moving in in recent decades to make many races here on the fence. Every issue counts.

“So when a bunch of major fires happen at once, voters get concerned. We have calls going out right now, and compared to where we were two weeks ago, wildfires are now one of the top issues for voters. I mean, right now, even homelessness has taken a back seat to it. Every election year has that odd issue, that out of nowhere ting that becomes a huge concern, and that’s it down here right now. As soon as Newsom made it a state of emergency and people began being evacuated, it suddenly became the thing that people wanted to know what their lawmakers, or future lawmakers, are going to do about it.”

Wildfire related issues are expected to be major talking points and debate topics across SoCal until election day. Fires are expected to be supressed further, with colder temperatures and rain on their way in SoCal in the coming days.