A wildfire burns near Triple X Road and Coffee Creek in Luther, Okla., Friday, March 14, 2025.
Bishop, California – Fierce winds drove an out-of-control wildfire through a remote area of eastern California on Monday, prompting evacuations for hundreds of homes as firefighters struggled to contain the fast-moving blaze.
The Silver Fire ignited Sunday afternoon along Route 6 in Inyo County, approximately five miles northeast of Bishop in the Owens Valley. By Monday morning, the fire had already burned through nearly two square miles (five square kilometers) of dry brush, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The blaze remained completely uncontained as emergency crews worked against punishing weather conditions.
Cal Fire officials warned that the fire posed a significant threat to endangered species habitats, watersheds, and cultural and heritage resources in the area. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.
Firefighters faced enormous challenges as wind gusts of up to 65 mph (104 kph) prevented critical aerial firefighting efforts. High winds grounded air tankers and severely limited the use of water-dropping helicopters, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Chloe Castillo.
“The winds are very erratic,” Castillo said. “One minute they’re pushing north, the next they’re going east.”
The strong winds fueled the fire’s rapid spread, complicating containment efforts in the rugged, dry terrain of Inyo County, which has received very little precipitation in recent months. Most of the county is classified as abnormally dry, with some areas experiencing extreme drought, conditions that have made the landscape highly susceptible to wildfires. Southern California as a whole is also facing moderate to extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Authorities ordered evacuations for approximately 800 homes near the small communities of Laws, Chalfant, and White Mountain Estates. Emergency responders urged residents to leave immediately and adhere to evacuation warnings as fire crews battled the advancing flames.
Residents in the affected areas were directed to evacuation centers, while officials monitored the fire’s movement closely. Local law enforcement and emergency management teams remained on high alert, prepared to issue additional evacuation orders if necessary.
With containment efforts hindered by the powerful winds, officials expressed concern about the fire’s potential for further expansion. Crews are expected to focus on establishing firebreaks and deploying resources strategically until aerial support can be resumed.
The Silver Fire is the latest in what experts predict could be another dangerous wildfire season in California, particularly with ongoing drought conditions and increasing wind events. Officials urge residents in fire-prone areas to stay informed, prepare for possible evacuations, and heed all safety warnings issued by emergency agencies.
