Dive Brief:

• The Blue Cut Fire north of San Bernadino, CA, which began Tuesday, had raged across more than 26,000 acres, displaced tens of thousands, destroyed dozens of structures and had only been 4% contained as of 7 P.M. on Wednesday, the San Bernadino Sun reports. 
• Over $1 million a day are expected in freight disruptions, since truck and rail passage through the main route between Las Vegas and Southern California is blocked due to the wildfire. The Sun on Tuesday listed various safe, alternate routes. 
• More than 5,000 cargo trucks travel through the affected area of Interstate 15 each day, servicing various time-sensitive industries. BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad shut down north-south service, leaving dozens of cargo stacks stranded at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. 

Dive Insight:

Wildfires have long been a norm in California, but a recent report by FM Global on climate change suggests these may become increasingly common as weather patterns change to accommodate longer bouts of droughts in the U.S. Southwest. 

Trains, truck drivers, and the port authorities are attempting to mitigate the effects of the disruption by finding alternate routes (which for drivers, can add more than 200 miles) to service their clients. Regardless, many businesses are reportedly preparing for potential supply shortages.