Some Evacuations Lifted As Bridge Fire Reaches 35% Containment

SAN GABRIEL CANYON, CA — The Bridge Fire in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument was 35% contained Tuesday while two evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings and an evacuation warning was lifted.

As of Tuesday evening, the fire was estimated at 54,795 acres, according to the Angeles National Forest.

"Firefighters made significant progress last night with much colder temperatures, higher humidity and minimal growth," according to ANF officials. "In all areas of the fire, crews will prioritize security and validating containment lines today to further increase the containment percentage and get residents back into their homes where hazards have been cleared."

Crews were continuing to focus their efforts on the fire's northwest flank, which is the most active.

"The Big Pines corridor/Fenner Gap area still has challenges, but with the favorable weather today, crews are making progress containing fireline and mopping up around structures while being assisted by aircraft strategically dropping water and retardant."

Firefighters also continued mop-up and patrol to extinguish any remaining hot spots throughout Wrightwood, fire officials said.

In the northeast flank of the fire, firefighters are working to prevent the fire from reaching the community of Lytle Creek by constructing dozer lines and engaging in direct attack wherever possible, the statement said.

The east side of the fire was holding well as firefighters continue to gain containment. However until it is safe for residents to return, and the threat of downed power lines and other hazards still exists, an evacuation order remains in effect, the statement said.

The south flank is also holding well. Heavy equipment along with hand crews will continue constructing secondary containment lines in the area to prevent threats to the foothill communities below it.

On the west flank, firefighters are holding the fire at Rattlesnake Peak and plan to continue constructing hand lines where possible in the extremely steep and inaccessible terrain to Ross Peak and Pigeon Ridge Monday night,

The fire has destroyed 66 structures and damaged 13 others, authorities said.

In Los Angeles County, an evacuation order remained in effect for the East Fork communities, including Camp Williams Resort and the nearby River Community.

In San Bernardino County, evacuation orders remained in effect for the area north of Icehouse Canyon and along Big Pines Canyon road to the community of Big Pines.

An evacuation order that was in effect for the entire Wrightwood community was changed to an evacuation warning Tuesday.

Evacuation warnings also remained in place for Shin Road north to Icehouse Canyon; the forest area of Telegraph Peak east to the Cucamonga Canyon and forestry area above Shinn Road and North Pine Canyon Road; the southern community of Pinon Hills from Desert Front Road north to Highway 138 and State Highway west; and Highway 138 south to Lone Pine Canyon and Highway 2 east to Lone Pine Canyon Road.

The blaze began at 2:12 p.m. on Sept. 8 near East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads, according to forest officials. The fire initially remained relatively small, but exploded in size at the tail end of an extended heat wave on Tuesday, destroying dozens of structures as it marched into San Bernardino County.

It is the largest active fire in the state.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday formally ratified a local emergency declaration in response to the fire, aimed at expediting access to state and federal resources. Board chair Lindsey Horvath had issued the declaration preliminarily last week.

Kevin McGowan, director of the county Office of Emergency Management, told the board a recovery and repopulation plan was being developed in conjunction with other agencies involved in the firefight. He said local assistance centers would be set up in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, with details expected to be announced later this week.

Evacuation centers were open at the following locations:

-- Pomona Fairplex: 601 W McKinley Ave., Pomona (Enter Gate 3, corner of McKinley and White);

-- San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh St., Victorville;

-- Jessie Turner Center, 15556 Summit Ave., in Fontana;

-- Fountain of Living Waters Church, 10120 Johnson Road, Phelan.

Animal evacuation centers are at:

-- Palmdale Animal Care Center (small animals): 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale;

-- Lancaster Animal Care Center (small animals): 5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster;

-- Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (large animals): 2551 W. Ave. H, Lancaster (call 562-706-8581 prior to arrival);

-- Devore Animal Shelter (pets/livestock): 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (call 909-386-9820, or after hours 800-472-5609).

Road closures were in effect at the following locations:

-- SR-138 from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road;

-- SR-2 closed from Big Pines to SR-138;

-- Big Pines Highway;

-- Big Rock Creek Road;

-- San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River;

-- Highway 39;

-- East Fork Road;

-- Glendora Ridge Road;

-- Glendora Mountain Road; and

-- Mount Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection.

Some 2,707 personnel were involved in the firefight.

Three injuries were reported in the fire.

The fire was being battled in a unified command consisting of Cal Fire San Bernardino, the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County Fire Department and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The Bridge Fire was one of three large wildfires burning in Southern California, including the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Airport Fire in Riverside and Orange counties.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended an air quality advisory until at least 11 p.m. Tuesday for most of the region due to smoke from all three major wildfires.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

City News Service