A wildfire in the Angeles National Forest that broke out Sunday afternoon north of Glendora has quickly grown to 800 acres, officials said, forcing forest visitors and some nearby residents to flee.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued around 7:15 p.m. for Camp Williams Resort, which includes an RV park and camping facilities, as well as the adjacent riverside community, according to Dana Dierkes, public affairs officer for the Angeles National Forest.
Forest officials said firefighters conducted an “aggressive attack with air and ground resources.” As crews worked, temperatures hit 105 degrees in nearby Glendora.
Dierkes told The Times that it was “probably a very busy day” in the forest “given the high temperatures. Visitors come to find relief from the heat in the waters of the San Gabriel River.” Cars parked along forest roads can block firefighters trying to get to the scene of a wildfire, Dierkes noted.
The cause of the fire, which was 0% contained as of Sunday evening, was under investigation.
Several roads were closed, including State Route 39, East Fork Road, Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road.
The fire ignited at about 2:40 p.m. Sunday on East Fork Road near Glendora Mountain Road in San Gabriel Canyon, officials said.
By 8 p.m., fire crews with the Angeles National Forest and LA County Fire Department were battling the flames. Aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on the fire, Dierkes said.
“Overnight they will be flying some night reconnaissance flights” that will help crews get a better handle on the size of the growing fire, she said.
Meanwhile, the fight against Line fire in San Bernardino County. The wildfire had caused mandatory evacuations in several mountain communities and threatened more than 35,000 structures.
Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency due to the rapidly growing fire.