Morris fire in Angeles National Forest 45% contained

The larger of two wildfires burning in the Angeles National Forest is 45% contained this morning as crews continue to battle blazes being fueled by high temperatures and low humidity.

Fresh crews and airstrikes helped to beat back flames at the Morris fire overnight, which grew to 1,800 acres and is 45% contained, the U.S. Forest Service said.

The fire, which started Tuesday afternoon, is burning above Azusa and Glendora, and U.S. Forest Service officials are considering an evacuation order this afternoon for an area of the upper San Gabriel Canyon where there are about 50 cabins and a ranger station, said Robert Brady, spokesman for the forest service.

The Station fire burning above La Canada-Flintridge grew to 30 acres overnight, with crews requesting more helicopters, engines and ground crews. The fire is 20% contained and is mostly burning brush, said Jennifer Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the forest service.

Temperatures in the area are expected to reach the triple digits today, she said.

-- My-Thuan Tran

Photo: Firefighters try to keep the Morris fire from jumping California Highway 39 just above Azusa.

Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[Paul]

It has been said many times before, but I must say God bless the fire fighters!

[John De Gennaro]

Overtime for firemen . . . Gee . . . what a novel concept.

[Looking for balance]

Gee John, what do you suggest as an alternative to paying people to do a job? Should they work until 5:00 p.m. quitting time and then show up back tomorrow at 8:00 a.m? I think you are just another one of those jerks that is pissed that you didn't qualify for a job that requires endless hours. Do you have an alternative? Do you realize that they do not go home top their families? They didn't start the fire, but it is their job to put it out and protect all of us. And no, I am not a fire-fighter, never have been, but I don't begrudge a person his or her salary for a difficult job. I'm not done, what do you do for a living, perhaps I could insult you by suggesting that you get paid too much or don't work hard enough and that a monkey could do your job BETTER. I think you are a jerk.

[Major Variola (ret)]

Let it burn. Save houses, if they have clearance, otherwise
let it do what it does naturally. Don't waste lives or money
fighting brush fires.