Flames fueled by wind gusts raced through northern Los Angeles County on Sept. 10, destroying dozens of homes as a third massive wildfire in Southern California exploded to nearly 54 square miles overnight.
The fire continued to burn through thick brush in the Angeles National Forest on Wednesday, threatening residents in Wrightwood, Pinon Hills, and Mount Baldy, fire officials said in a morning update.
“Last night, the Bridge Fire continued to exhibit extreme fire behavior as it increased over 13,000 acres mainly on the north and east flanks,'' the fire commanders said.
According to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, as of Wednesday morning, the fire had destroyed about 20 homes in the Mount Baldy area, 13 homes in the Wrightwood area, and six cabins in the wilderness areas in the fire zone.
The fire was burning in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness, north of Glendora in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, which is managed by the Angeles National Forest, fire officials said.
They said no significant injuries and no deaths were reported.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said an off-duty sheriff’s deputy and two other people were trapped by the flames on Wednesday near the Mount Baldy area, but they were safe and uninjured. Rescue teams were hoping to take them to safety but were unable to reach them because of the heavy smoke in the area, Luna said.
The fire started about 2:15 p.m. Monday afternoon at Camp Bonita Road, east of Camp Williams, a small camp and RV resort along the San Gabriel River with a café and general store in Azusa, California.
Investigators are looking into what started the blaze that spread rapidly when gusty winds and low humidity swept through the area Tuesday night. According to fire officials, the fire expanded from 6 square miles to more than 54 in less than a day. The burn area has also spread into neighboring San Bernardino County.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced receiving another fire management grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure more resources were available for firefighters at the Bridge Fire.
As the Bridge Fire expanded Tuesday night, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office ordered residents of Wrightwood, a community of about 4,500, to leave their homes.
Evacuation orders were also in effect for areas of Pinion Hills, Lone Pine Canyon, and the Camp Williams Resort.
Several evacuation warnings were also issued Tuesday night for northern Claremont, San Antonio Heights, and Upland.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also declared an emergency Tuesday afternoon for the fire, allowing first responders more access to needed equipment and support to fight the flames.
“Fire raced through the area yesterday but all the main lifts and buildings survived with little to no damage,” the resort posted on Facebook Wednesday. “Thank you to all the employees and fire fighters for their hard work. Our hearts go out to the Wrightwood families that may be suffering.”
Several roads were closed in the area, including San Gabriel Canyon and East Ford of the San Gabriel River, Highway 39, East Ford Road, Glendora Ridge Road, Glendora Mountain Road, and Mt. Baldy Road.
Evacuation shelters were opened at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, the Jessie Turner Community Center in Fontana, and the Hacienda Heights Community Center in Hacienda Heights.
Arrest Made in Line Fire
Fire resources were stretched throughout San Bernardino County as local and state crews battling the Line Fire were helped by National Guard soldiers and equipment on Wednesday.The fire was 14 percent contained by Wednesday afternoon and had grown to 54 square miles, matching the size of the Bridge Fire.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and fire investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Management (Cal Fire) arrested Justin Wayne Halstenberg, who is suspected of starting a fire in the area of Baseline Road and Aplin Street in Highland, where the Life Fire first erupted on Sept. 5. Halstenberg remained in jail in lieu of $80,000 bail.
Several other communities and areas remained evacuated on Wednesday, including Arrowbear Lake, Forrest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, and campgrounds and cabins in the area.
Big Bear from the dam east to Wildrose Lane and the south shoreline south to Bluff Lake Basin was also evacuated, according to Cal Fire.
Airport Fire Erupts in Orange County
A third fire, the Airport Fire, erupted on Sept. 9 at Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon. Investigators were not sure what started the blaze, which has now grown to 35 square miles and is not contained in Orange and Riverside counties.Several areas in both counties have been evacuated and others are under evacuation warnings.
