Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon prompts road closures, evacuations

Fire crews in the Angeles National Forest were battling a fast-moving wildfire Sunday that was approaching nearly 1,000 acres, prompting road closures and evacuations, authorities announced.

Firefighters responded to reports of the brush fire at East Fork Road near Glendora Mountain Road in the San Gabriel Canyon just after 2 p.m., according to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by officials with the Angeles National Forest.

Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon
Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon

Additional firefighting crews and aircraft were requested as flames moved into Cattle Canyon, prompting a two-alarm response, the evacuation of visitors in the area and the closure of East Fork Road at Highway 39, as well as the entirety of Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road.

Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon
Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon

Officials with the California Highway Patrol also closed Highway 39 at the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon due to vehicle congestion, fire officials said.

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In a update just after 4 p.m., officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the wildfire had spread to an estimated 92 acres, with crews attempting aggressive attacks from the air and with ground resources.

Just two hours later, authorities reported that the flames had spread to another 100 acres as crews worked to hold containment on Glendora Ridge Road.

A little after 7 p.m., mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the East Fork communities of Camp Williams and River Community.

In a report that came some 20 minutes after evacuation orders, officials said the wildfire had spread to an estimated 800 acres with 0% containment.

Fire officials said night-flying helicopters would be supporting ground crews overnight.

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