Additional airlines have issued travel waivers for what is known as the Saddleridge Fire in southern California, which has been burning since Thursday, October 10, 2019 — but the good news is that the fatality and injury count has not increased; and the wildfire is now 41 percent contained.
Travel Alert October 2019: More Airlines Issue Travel Waivers for Saddleridge Fire in Southern California
A combination of extremely low humidity, Santa Ana offshore sustained winds of up to 30 miles per hour with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, and dry timber and brush had been hampering efforts by firefighters to contain the Saddleridge Fire, which has already consumed 7,965 acres — but 3,266 acres of this fire are estimated to now be contained. The fire destroyed a minimum of 21 structures and damaged at least eleven additional structures.
One person suffered cardiac arrest and died at the hospital; while three firefighters suffered from minor injuries.
Mandatory evacuation orders are no longer in effect. As many as 100,000 residents near or in areas such as Olive View, Sylmar, San Fernando and Mission Hills were reportedly forced to leave their homes.
Both the cause and the source of the fire is still unknown at this time.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If southern California is in your travel plans over the next day or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this wildfire which may affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of the affected areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are six airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this wildfire:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario for Friday, October 11, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Friday, October 18, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario for Friday, October 11, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Wednesday, October 16, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for Burbank and Los Angeles for Saturday, October 12, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Wednesday, October 16, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for Burbank and Los Angeles for Saturday, October 12, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Sunday, October 27, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Burbank and Los Angeles for Saturday, October 12, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Wednesday, October 16, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for Burbank, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario for Friday, October 11, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019; and Wednesday, October 16, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Summary
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
