"That one-two punch, that sequence, means you grow all this extra potential fuel for fires and then you dry it out to extreme levels," said Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist whose research suggests California's rising temperatures create wetter winters.

Smoke was heaviest southeast of Los Angeles and widespread across the rest of Southern California. Data from air sensors suggested that the air quality was diminished in several places around the Los Angeles area. Air quality was also poor in the Northwest, including in Oregon and Idaho, where dozens more wildfires were burning.

Firefighters are nearing victory in the battles against three major wildfires near Los Angeles that have burned more than 117,000 acres, destroyed nearly 200 structures and injured 23 people, officials said.

Three large wildfires are still largely uncontrolled, but an incoming cold front and cloudy weather this weekend are expected to offer some reprieve, officials said Saturday.

California wildfires, Trump rejects second Harris debate and more in today’s edition of The Yodel newsletter The Line Fire in Southern California has scorched over 20,000 acres of land and forced thousands of evacuations as firefighters battle the fast-moving flames.

Three massive wildfires are burning all over Southern California, destroying acres of land and buildings, as well as injuring multiple people. All three fires began in early September, as an unexpected heat wave raised temperatures to record highs for the month.