The Bridge Fire raging in the Angeles National Forest has engulfed nearly 48,000 acres with several homes destroyed and widespread mandatory evacuations in place, affecting communities such as Wrightwood and Mount Baldy. Initially reported on Sunday near East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads, the blaze has been fanned by high winds and low humidity, complicating containment efforts.
With the fire's expansive reach now spanning into San Bernardino County, residents have been forced to flee as firefighters grapple with the accelerating inferno. "I've never seen this before, ever. There's a possibility we might lose everything there," John Haskell of Wrightwood told ABC7. As the fire remains at 0% containment, local authorities such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Claremont have issued evacuation orders and warnings to ensure public safety.
Amid these developments, San Bernardino County Fire spokesman Eric Sherwin highlighted the challenges ahead. He voiced concerns over the fire's behavior and potential for destruction. "We still have an established fire with very dry fuel, with the littlest of breeze -- we can see the ember cast right now, and those embers land here in the community. It still presents a very real threat," Sherwin told CBS News Los Angeles.
Evacuation sites have been established at the Jesse Turner Center in Fontana, and the Hacienda Heights Community Center, among others. The Pomona Fairplex opened its doors for evacuees, with the Devore Animal Shelter and related facilities accommodating animals displaced by the fires. Despite the ongoing battle against the flames, no injuries have been reported thus far. However, the source of the Bridge Fire is still under investigation, with authorities prioritizing life-saving measures and structural defense, especially as the fire's growth has offered little respite to an already stretched thin firefighting force, according to a report by Hoodline.
Road closures have been implemented across the region, including East Fork Road, Glendora Mountain, Glendora Ridge, and portions of State Route 39. The conditions have also prompted air quality advisories, according to KTLA. Officials continue to enforce these measures with the safety of residents as the foremost concern. "There is no property worth risking your life for," stated L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna in the face of these perilous conditions.
