The total acres burned in California this year surpassed one million as spiking temperatures added to the challenges facing firefighters struggling to contain the Line Fire that flared up again in the San Bernardino Mountains over the weekend.

Evacuation orders were expanded once again on Monday for Seven Oaks and Angelus Oaks, as the fire, which has been burning for nearly a month, spread over nearly 68 square miles and containment dropped from 83% to 76%.

The Line Fire’s surge pushed the total acres burned across the state in 2024 to 1,001,993 as of Tuesday morning.

“The last few days of above normal temperatures have dried out both the vegetation and moisture from the air…. The dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind aligned yesterday to create conditions for the rapid fire spread yesterday,” said a statement late Monday from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

A 34-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to starting the Line Fire on Sept. 5. Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco, California, was charged with 11 arson-related crimes, according to court records.

At its height, the blaze threatened more than 65,000 homes in and around the Big Bear Lake area.

Hot and dry conditions will continue through next week statewide.

“High pressure will remain parked over California through Thursday before the ridge axis shifts east into the Great Basin area on Friday,” noted the San Diego chapter of the National Weather Service.

“This will bring well above average temperatures to the area for the middle of the week. High temperatures are expected to be 10  to 15, locally up to 20, degrees above average for inland areas. “

There was little respite from the hot and dry conditions to the north. San Francisco could hit 90 degrees this week instead of its normal sweater weather, while triple digits were predicted for Sacramento. The weather service office in the state’s capital urged residents to stay indoors during the heat of the day Tuesday.

Dry, hot winds in northern California also prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to preemptively cut power to small clusters of customers in high-risk areas. The utility routinely stops electricity service in counties where weather conditions increase the probability of fires.

Associated Press contributed to this report.