Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon Rapidly Expands, Prompting Evacuations

A rapidly spreading wildfire in San Gabriel Canyon, named the “Bridge Fire,” has consumed over 34,000 acres since it was first reported on Sunday afternoon. The fire began around 3 p.m. near East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads in Los Angeles County and has continued to grow with zero containment, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Within 12 hours, the fire exploded in size due to high winds and dry conditions, making firefighting efforts especially difficult.

Local authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for several areas in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Impacted regions in Los Angeles County include zones LAC-E171, LAC-E170-C, LAC-E172-A, LAC-E144, LAC-E143, LAC-E172-C, LAC-E128, and LAC-E126-B. Meanwhile, San Bernardino County has ordered evacuations in zones BLD01, WWD01, WWD02, and WWD03.

In addition to the mandatory orders, evacuation warnings have been issued for nearby areas. In Los Angeles County, these warnings cover zones LAC-E104, LAC-E105-A, LAC-E105-B, LAC-E106, LAC-E107, LAC-E126-A, LAC-E126-C, LAC-E127, LAC-E169, LAC-E170-A, LAC-E170-B, LAC-E172-B, and LAC-Q1340. In San Bernardino County, the zones under warning include DFR-6-22, PIN02, and PIN01. Authorities are urging residents in these areas to prepare for potential evacuation.

Evacuation centers have been set up to assist those forced to leave their homes. The Hacienda Heights Community Center, located at 1234 Valencia Avenue in Hacienda Heights, and the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, located at 15556 Summit Avenue in Fontana, are currently open to evacuees.

Numerous road closures have also been put into effect to ensure public safety. These include San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River, Highway 39, East Fork Road, Glendora Ridge Road, Glendora Mountain Road, and the Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. High winds, coupled with low humidity and the dry landscape, have significantly contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. Despite the size and intensity of the fire, no injuries have been reported as of yet.

In addition to battling the Bridge Fire, firefighting teams are simultaneously working on two other major fires in Southern California — the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon and the Line Fire in San Bernardino County. Containment efforts continue as crews fight against challenging conditions in an attempt to control the flames and prevent further destruction.