Fire crews continue to battle 3 Southern California wildfires

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Three major wildfires continued to burn around southern California on Friday, fueled by dry brush and triple-digit temperatures that have led to more than 110,000 acres being charred, state forest crews said.

The Bridge Fire, which was 3% contained on Friday, has destroyed at least 40 homes and is threatening thousands of others after burning nearly 52,000 acres. The origins of the fire, which started on Sunday, remained under investigation by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.

The Airport Fire started Monday and was 8% contained as of Friday. The blaze, which started fire in the Trabuco Canyon has now spread to Riverside County. Officials said that they believe the fire was started accidentally by a spark from heavy equipment used by public workers.

The wildfire has now burned nearly 25,000 acres.

The Line Fire, which started last Thursday, is the oldest of the three fires and has burned more than 37,000 acres as of Friday. Fire crews have managed to get the blaze 21% contained and is being blamed on arson.

Authorities charged Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, with nine counts of arson that have caused more than $7 million in damage so far. At least one firefighter suffered a serious injury in battling the blaze.