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A scenic California mountain town walloped by a blizzard is now threatened by wildfire

Firefighters battling three major wildfires in the mountains east of Los Angeles are taking advantage of cooler weather

By ERIC THAYER, EUGENE GARCIA, AMY TAXIN and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ
Published - Sep 13, 2024, 01:58 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 07:16 PM EST

RUNNING SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — In the Southern California mountain town of Running Springs, residents live between two scenic lake resorts — a seemingly serene spot but one also caught between the swings of devastating winter snowstorms and menacing summer wildfires.

Niko Rynard is currently evacuated from his home due to the Line Fire, which has charred 58 square miles (150 square km) since the weekend.

About a year and a half ago, the director of the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce raced down the mountains during a break in the relentless snowfall his neighbors came to call “Snowmageddon.” Roads were blocked for days.

The 29-year-old, who moved to the area nine years ago from the East Coast, is now staying with friends nearby but said others are shelling out hundreds of dollars to cram into hotel rooms until it's safe to return.

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