Firefighters saw minimal growth of the Bridge fire overnight, thanks to cooler temperatures and higher humidity, while also achieving 3% containment of the blaze by Friday morning, Sept. 13, authorities said.
The size of the fire, which started about 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 in the East Fork area of the Angeles National Forest above Glendora, was at 51,884 acres Friday. More than 2,100 personnel were assigned to the fire. Earlier in the week, it took over as the largest active burning wildfire in the state.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation.
On Thursday, water and retardant-dropping aircraft worked throughout the day to cool hotspots with water and lay retardant on the northwest side of the fire where heat was detected, Angeles National Forest officials said in an update.
Crews focused on the north flank with dozers and engines to slow growth, officials said. Protecting structures remained a top priority and a smaller crew camp was established on the north side of the fire to shorten response times.
Firefighters were using Mt. Baldy Road to hold the eastern side of the fire, while the southern portion of the fire along the foothills “has shown little movement, allowing firefighters to construct direct line along the fire’s edge,” officials said.
“Crews are monitoring and extinguishing hotspots in the fire’s perimeter up the southwest flank and are feeling confident they can hold containment lines,” officials added.
Here’s what we know:
- Acres burned: 51,884 acres
- Containment: 3%
- Structures burned: approximately 20 homes in Mt. Baldy, 13 homes in Wrightwood, 6 cabin in wilderness area
- Fire personnel: 2,104
- Cause of fire: Under investigation
- When it started: Sept. 8
Damages
After starting as a small fire in the foothills above Glendora, the Bridge fire quickly grew from 4,100 acres to 34,000 acres Tuesday, stretching north and east toward Wrightwood and Mt. High Resort.
Some residents in Wrightwood described a harrowing, stressful scene as they stayed to defend homes while the fire was burning around them. Ultimately, 13 homes in the mountain community were destroyed.
Flames overtook the slopes at Mt. High Resort on Tuesday, but the facility reported Wednesday that the lifts and buildings “survived with little to no damage.”
Evacuations
Evacuation orders were expanded by officials Thursday night to include San Antonio Heights to Wrightwood and east to Cucamonga Peak. Evacuation orders were still in place for Wrightwood, Pinon Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to L.A. County, Lone Pine Canyon, the East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community and Mt. Baldy Road for all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt. Baldy Resort.
Warnings were in place for the area of Phelan from Highway 138 east to Baldy Mesa Road and Phelan Road south to Sayle Road, San Antonio Hights and Upland from the foothills south to 23rd Street and Pinon Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to L.A. County.
Evacuation centers
- San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh St., Victorville
- Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, 15556 Summit Ave., Fontana
- Pomona Fairplex, 601 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona (enter Gate 3)
For animals
- Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Wy., San Bernardino
- Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale
- Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster
- Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (Large animals), 2551 W. Avenue H, Lancaster
Road closures
- Highway 138 from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road
- Highway 2 closed from Big Pines to Highway 138.
- San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River
- Highway 39
- East Fork Road
- Glendora Ridge Road
- Glendora Mountain Road
- Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection
