A fast-moving wildfire in the Angeles National Forest prompted evacuations Friday afternoon and is still burning Saturday morning.
The “Fork Fire” had charred over 375 acres of trees and dry brush in the East Fork area as of 9 p.m. Friday with no estimated containment. As of 7 a.m. Saturday morning, the fire stood at 330 acres with no containment, the Angeles National Forest said.
“[On Saturday] firefighters [will] continue to instruct fire line with support from aircraft,” officials said on X.
The fire forced the California Highway Patrol to close East Fork Road between Highway 39 and Glendora Mountain Road. Glendora Ridge Road is also closed.
A group of campers along the San Gabriel River posted on X, formerly Twitter, that they were forced to pick up their belongings and leave quickly.
A smoke plume was visible from an ALERTCalifornia fire-spotting camera on Pine Mountain.
A photo shared online by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department showed a Special Enforcement Bureau helicopter conducting a hoist operation within the fire perimeter. At this time, it is unclear what led to the rescue or the condition of the person being rescued.
The East Fork of the San Gabriel River was temporarily closed and would remain closed through the weekend, officials said.
The National Forest Service employs its own firefighter crews but often receives assistance from local fire protection agencies.
CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department are providing assistance by air and ground, officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.