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Major Southern California Fires Claim More Than 200 Structures, Homes

Three major fires have destroyed and damaged homes in several counties as firefighters continued to battle the blazes on Sept. 16.
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Major Southern California Fires Claim More Than 200 Structures, Homes
An American flag blows amid the damage left over from the Airport Fire in El Cariso Village, Calif., on Sep. 16, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Jill McLaughlin
John Fredricks
Updated:
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EL CARISO VILLAGE, Calif.—Just past a police checkpoint on the Ortega Highway—a two-lane mountain pass connecting Orange and Riverside counties—only scorched earth was left on Sept. 16 after the Airport Fire blackened the landscape.

The Airport fire, which destroyed 160 structures including homes and damaged 34 others, had burned since Sept. 9, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.