Bridge fire in Angeles National Forest blackens 800 acres; visitors, residents flee

A wildfire in Angeles National Forest that broke out Sunday afternoon north of Glendora has quickly grown to 800 acres, officials said, forcing forest visitors and some nearby residents to flee.

A mandatory evacuation order was issued around 7:15 p.m. for Camp Williams Resort, which includes a mobile home park and campground facilities, as well as the adjacent river community, according to Dana Dierkes, public affairs officer for the Angeles National Forest.

Forest officials said firefighters were performing an “aggressive attack with air and ground resources.” As crews labored, the temperature hit 105 degrees in nearby Glendora.

Dierkes told The Times it was “likely a very busy day” in the forest “given the high temperatures. Visitors come to find relief from the heat in the waters of the San Gabriel River.” Cars parked along forest roads can block firefighters as they try to get to the location of a wildfire, Dierkes noted.

The cause of the fire, which was 0% contained Sunday evening, was under investigation.

Several roads were closed, including State Route 39, East Fork Road, Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road.

The fire ignited at about 2:40 p.m. Sunday on East Fork Road near Glendora Mountain Road in the San Gabriel Canyon, officials said.

As of 8 p.m., fire crews with Angeles National Forest and the L.A. County Fire Department were battling the flames. Aircraft were dropping water and fire retardant on the blaze, Dierkes said.

“Overnight they’re going to be flying some night reconnaissance flights” that will help crews get a better handle on the size of the growing fire, she said.

California

Fast-moving Line fire forces evacuations in San Bernardino mountain towns

An uncontrolled wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest forced mandatory evacuations in Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake.

Sept. 8, 2024

Meanwhile, the fight continued against the Line fire in San Bernardino County. The wildfire had caused mandatory evacuations in multiple mountain communities and was threatening more than 35,000 structures.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency due to the rapidly expanding blaze.