Bridge Fire Incident Update

Image of a mountain road with at Sheriff's Black and White vehicle, parked on the road on the lower left of image. The trees beyond the road are on fire and smoke is billowing up across the hills.

Bridge Fire Incident Update

Bridge Fire Incident Update 1024 1024 SIB Staff

MORNING INCIDENT UPDATE
Wednesday, September 12, 2024

CURRENT SITUATION:

Today the Bridge Fire was still active, however, the behavior moderated significantly due to the slight increase in humidity and decrease in temperatures. Firefighters were able to make great progress on the ground aided by aircraft to attack the fire aggressively 24-hours per day.

Crews continued to be engaged with structure defense in the communities of Wrightwood, Piñon Hills, and Mount Baldy. The ability for crews to also extinguish new fire starts in the vicinity of the Bridge Fire is also a good sign and testament to their success and hard work.

The north side of the fire remained the most active. However, more favorable weather conditions aided firefighters in gaining the upper hand on holding the fire on the south side of Highway 2. Top priorities for firefighters remained in structure protection and defense of the communities nearby with dozer line construction and pre-treating containment lines with fire retardant.

On the east side, firefighters were able to directly engage as the fire behaved favorably, backing and flanking slowly down to Mount Baldy Road. Firefighters continue to hold the fire on the west side of this road and continue structure protection efforts in the communities of Mount Baldy Village, including the Icehouse Canyon area.

To the south, firefighters were successful in reinforcing containment lines and scouted to reopen old dozer lines for contingency planning. Front-country communities currently under an evacuation warning will see dozers and fire personnel working on the south flank of the fire to construct these contingency lines and protect the communities below it. A five-acre spot fire near Sunset Peak was also successfully suppressed with direct attack.

On the west side of the fire, containment lines are holding and firefighters are engaged in mop up. checking the area for hotspots and extinguishing them. There is minimal growth and moderated fire behavior in this area.

Evacuation Orders:

  • Highway 138 south to Lone Pine Canyon and Highway 2 east to Lone Pine Canyon Road.
  • Piñon Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to Los Angeles County.
  • Lone Pine Canyon from the community of Wrightwood to Highway 138/Lone Pine Canyon Road south to the Forest.
  • Entire Community of Wrightwood.
  • East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort (Café, mobile home park, campground) and River Community (near the resort).
  • Mt. Baldy Road, all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt. Baldy Resort.

Evacuation warnings:

  • The area of Phelan from Highway 138 east to Baldy Mesa Road and Phelan Road south to Sayle Road
  • San Antonio Heights and Upland from the foothills south to 23rd Street.
  • Piñon Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to Los Angeles County.

Evacuation Centers:

  • San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 92392
  • Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center: 15556 Summit Ave, Fontana, CA 92336. Call (909) 854-5100
  • Pomona Fait-plex: 601 W McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA, 91768 (Enter Gate 3, comer of McKinley and White)
  • Animals:
    o Devore Animal Shelter: 19777 Shelter Way, San Bemardino, CA 92407. Call (909) 386-9820, or after hours: (800) 472-5609
    o Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550
    o Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
    o Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (Large Animals): 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536. Call 562-706-8581 prior to arrival.

For more information on shelters, visit:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

https://lacounty.gov/emergency/

If not already registered for Emergency alerts, please register for them here:

https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications

https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/

CLOSURES:

  • SR-138 from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road
  • SR-2 closed from Big Pines to SR-138.
  • San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River
  • Highway 39
  • East Fork Road
  • Glendora Ridge Road
  • Glendora Mountain Road
  • Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection

WEATHER:

Red Flag Warning highlighting imminent critical fire weather patterns was extended until 10:00a.m. tomorrow, however, conditions should improve thereafter. There will be increased stability in weather with lower temperatures and higher humidity, allowing firefighters to. make good progress on their suppression efforts.

Exposed ridges at higher elevations ill have higher wind speeds than the lower valley and canyon areas, which is where active fire behavior and higher flame lengths will continue to be most visible.

For information on smoke impacts and an interactive map, visit fire.airnow.gov.