Wildfires burn across Southern California, prompt evacuations

Firefighters battle wildfire, known as the Airport Fire, along Trabuco Creek Road in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

SAN GABRIEL CANYON – Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters were continuing to battle wildfire in San Gabriel Canyon Monday that prompted road closures and multiple evacuations.

The Bridge Fire was reported around 3 p.m. Sunday near the area of East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads, according to the Angeles National Forest. At the initial time of report, the fire was burning 75 acres, but grew to 820 acres by 7 a.m. Monday.

By late morning Monday, the fire had grown to 1,255 acres, with 0% containment.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for the East Fork communities of Camp Williams and River Community Sunday evening.

East Fork Road at Highway 39 was closed along with Glendora Mountain and Glendora Ridge roads. The California Highway Patrol also closed Highway 39 at the mouth of the canyon due to vehicle congestion.

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Forest visitors were being evacuated from the area, the Angeles National Forest announced on social media.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Trabuco Canyon Fire

In Trabuco Canyon, a brush fire quickly scorched about 800 acres and prompted evacuation warnings on Monday.

The Airport Fire began about 1 p.m. Monday near Trabuco Canyon Road in the area of the remote-controlled airplane airport, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran.

One person suffered smoke inhalation, but Doran did not have further details.

An airplane drops retardant on the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

A mandatory evacuation order was issued to the Robinson Ranch community. Evacuation warnings were issued for residents of Rose Canyon Road,

Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop and Cook’s Corner.

There was no immediate word on what sparked the fire, which burned amid the continuing heat-wave and elevated fire-danger conditions.

The agency was using new firefighting helicopters that can dump 1,000 gallons of water on the flames, Doran said.

The flames were moving away from homes, burning uphill as of about 4 p.m., OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

Camp Pendleton Fire

At Camp Pendleton, firefighters worked Monday to subdue a wildfire that has blackened about 1,000 open acres on the grounds of Camp Pendleton.

The blaze, dubbed the Roblar Fire, erupted in the northeastern reaches of the northern San Diego-area Marine Corps base on Saturday, Cal Fire reported.

As of Monday afternoon, military and civilian crews had the burn area about 20 percent contained, according to Camp Pendleton public affairs.

The fire caused no reported structural damage or injuries and posed no threats to developed areas on or off the USMC installation, officials said. (CNS)

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