Video Shows Surreal Scene From The Heart Of The Bridge Fire

SAN GABRIEL CANYON, CA — The Bridge Fire remained a threat to thousands of people Monday even as firefighters managed to keep the massive wildfire from growing much over the weekend.

A marine layer, cooler temperatures and increased humidity allowed firefighters to hold the fire to 54,690 acres in Los Angeles County and neighboring San Bernardino County while achieving 11 percent containment.

As of Monday, the fire had destroyed 54 homes and commercial structures and continued to threaten another 12,168 structures, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation orders remained in place for the East Fork communities, including Camp Williams Resort and the nearby River Community in Los Angeles County.

In San Bernardino County, the entire community of Wrightwood, all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt. Baldy Resort along Mt. Baldy Road and the area from Highway 138 south to the northern border of San Antonio Heights, extending north to the Wrightwood evacuation zones and east to Cucamonga Peak, were under an evacuation order.

Evacuation warnings were also in effect in several areas of both counties.

Los Angeles County Fire Department crews released surreal footage from the frontlines, showing crews racing through a hellscape of flames on all sides with ribbons of fire shooting overhead along with burning embers.

The weather was expected to be mostly favorable in the coming days. High winds were expected in higher elevations with low temperatures at night with warm temperatures and low humidity still around in lower desert areas. Two cold fronts were forecast for this week, however.

Fire officials said humidity is still low in higher elevations, but in lower elevations, the marine layer and higher humidity were helping crews make "great progress in strengthening both primary and secondary containment lines in the southeast, south and southwest flanks of the fire, while also gaining depth in their mop-up operations."

During a public meeting Saturday at Serrano High School in Phelan, the Incident Management Team told residents the areas burned by previous fires such as the 1997 Narrows Fire have helped slow the current fire. Residents were told evacuations would remain in place until the areas are safe.

The blaze began around 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 it 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.

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 2,775 personnel were involved in the firefight, including 50 crews, 203 engines, 21 dozers, seven water tenders and 13 helicopters.

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. Monday for most of the region due to smoke from all three major wildfires.

The cause of the Bridge Fire has not been determined.

City News Service. Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.