Containment of Bridge Fire Increases to 53%

FOR THE LATEST ON ALL FIRES AFFECTING SOCAL CLICK HERE

SAN GABRIEL CANYON (CNS) - The Bridge Fire is 53% contained Friday after firefighters continued strengthening containment lines while also attacking the most active northwest and southeast flanks, authorities said.

The fire in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument was 41% contained earlier Thursday, according to the Angeles National Forest. It has burned 54,795 acres and is threatening 4,409 structures.

The fire has destroyed 81 structures and damaged 19, officials said.

"On the northwest flank, firefighters brought the fire's edge down to tie into road systems today, helping secure containment where rollout of burning material posed a threat to the line," according to a statement from forest officials released Wednesday night.

"Favorable weather conditions are still allowing firefighters to go direct along the fires edge to prevent further spread toward the Mile High and Paradise Springs communities."

An evacuation order from Icehouse Canyon to Manker Flats and the Mount Baldy Ski Resort was downgraded to a warning Wednesday, officials said. Firefighters will still maintain a presence in this area to patrol, monitor and mop-up.

Firefighters are mopping up the fire and patrolling Big Pines and Wrightwood on the northeast side of the blaze, officials said.

On the northeast flank, crews are holding containment lines south of Wright Mountain, preventing the fire from progressing into the drainages north of Lytle Creek, officials said.

On the south and west flanks, crews continue holding containment lines and validating that hotspots have been extinguished. Hotshot crews dropped from helicopters earlier this week continue constructing indirect line in the rugged terrain of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness to create secondary containment lines, officials said.

Evacuation orders were in effect for north and northwest of the Mount Baldy Ski Resort, Big Pines Canyon Road to the community of Big Pines and the East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community.

Evacuation warnings were in effect for north and northwest of the Mount Baldy Ski Resort, Wrightwood, Mount Baldy Village, Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, north to the Mount Baldy Ski Resort and San Antonio Canyon east to Telegraph Peak.

Shinn Road north to Icehouse Canyon is open to residents only.

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 Sept. 10, 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;

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;

-- San Bernardino County  Fairgrounds (large animals): 14800 7th St, Victorville (call 909-386-9820, or after hours 800-472-5609);

-- Devore Animal Shelter (large and small animals): 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (call 909-386-9820, or after hours 800-472-5609).

Road closures were in effect at the following locations:

-- Big Pines Highway;

-- Big Rock Creek Road;

-- Largo Vista Road;

-- Mescal Creek Road;

-- Panorama Motorway;

-- State Route 39 at the base of San Gabriel Canyon;

-- Glendora Mountain Road north of Big Dalton Road;

-- Mount Baldy Road at Shinn Road;

-- Mount Baldy at Ice House Canyon Road; and

-- Westbound state Route 2 at Flume Canyon Road.

There were 2,549 personnel assigned to the fire on Wednesday, along with 166 engines, 15 water tenders, 18 helicopters and 27 dozers.

Four firefighters have been injured battling the blaze, officials said. There were no civilian injuries reported.

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 cause of the fire has not been determined.