Brush fire burning in Angeles National Forest, prompting campground evacuations [Updated]
A fast-moving brush fire has broken out in Angeles National Forest near Highway 39, prompting evacuations of some campgrounds.
The fire broke out about 4:40 p.m. along San Gabriel Canyon Road near Morris Dam. KABC Channel 7 showed firefighters battling tall flames on a ridge off Highway 39, which is closed in both directions.
The fire burned about 25 acres but was growing. Firefighters and inmate crews were on the scene, and air support was making water drops, officials said.
Black smoke could be seen from around the San Gabriel Valley.
[Updated 5:24 p.m.: Crews from the U.S. Forest Service, along with water-dropping helicopters and a hand crew from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, are battling the blaze, said Inspector Frederic Stowers of the county Fire Department.]
Officials had issued a red flag fire warning for the region amid hot weather and winds.
[Updated 5:20 p.m.: The red flag warning was scheduled to go into effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday. About 125 firefighters were battling the blaze almost one hour after the fire began.]
-- Shelby Grad and Robert Lopez
Am keeping an eye on this situation as I have a family member living in the mountains just north of Morris Dam. Any updates appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by: Laura | August 25, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Fire Season Has Arrived!
Posted by: Richard | August 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I live in the foothill community of Glendora, which gives me a close up view of the smoke billowing from the mountains through my living room window. The smoke has tripled in the last hour and some of the smoke seems to be drifting to the east. The smoke continues to mushroom at 5:50 pm.
Posted by: Ron Fomin | August 25, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Was this set by the Forest Service. One year they said 50% of the fires were set by government employees.
Posted by: gunshowsigns | August 25, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I wish all our firefighters good luck in catching this fire before any drying strong winds begin to influence it's spread. The Red Flag Warning is the last thing we need.
Posted by: Norm Silver | August 25, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Why is there no map outlining this fire? I would like to see the perimeters of the fire, as most of my family lives scattered in that area and telling me local place names does not give me the info I need
Posted by: Tracey Jaymes | August 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM