Bridge fire grows slightly overnight, firefighters achieve 3% containment

Favorable weather conditions continue to aid firefighters in limiting fire growth.

Sep 14, 2024 - 01:55

Bridge fire grows slightly overnight, firefighters achieve 3% containment

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.

“With the help of the marine layer increasing humidity in the lower elevations and favorable onshore winds, firefighters are making great progress in strengthening both primary and secondary containment lines in the southeast, south and southwest flanks of the fire,” Angeles National Forest officials 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 on Friday morning.

More than 2,100 personnel were assigned to the fire. Earlier in the week, the Bridge fire became the largest active wildfire in the state.

The fire’s cause was 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.

A collapsed home and surviving fireplace is seen on Bear Canyon Road in Mt. Baldy after the Bridge fire destroyed homes along the route on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)

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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.

Friday’s priorities were still focused on the northern portion of the blaze, as firefighters continue to try to halt acreage growth while protecting structures in Pinon Hills, Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy Village. On the northeast portion, crews were trying to keep the fire out of Lytle Creek.

Further relief came in the form of four National Guard helicopters, bringing to 15 the number of helicopters assigned to the Bridge fire. Aviation crews were planning to focus water and retardant drops on the northwest flank, which is the most active portion of the fire, officials said.

Aircraft were also assisting on the western portion of the fire where ground crews cannot effectively go due to steep terrain, officials said.

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.