The so-called Cabin Fire on the upper slopes of San Gabriel Canyon in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora was about 84 percent contained Monday, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
Ten firefighters suffered minor heat-related injuries battling the blaze, which has blackened about 1,723 acres and destroyed five recreational cabins since Friday afternoon, according to the USFS.
Firefighters from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties were among those assisting Angeles National Forest crews.
Glendora police sent an alert to residents about the fire, but said the blaze appeared to be too far from the city to present any immediate danger. Azusa police were also monitoring the fire, but no evacuations had been ordered in either city.
The fire broke out in medium to heavy brush after 1 p.m. Friday off Highway 39 near Rincon Red Box Road, according to the USFS. The cause was under investigation.
Within 30 minutes of ignition, the flames had spread to a cabin nestled in the woods, and quickly engulfed the structure. The fast-moving fire also jumped the dead-end San Gabriel Canyon Road, Highway 39, as it pushed its way into the forest.
Highway 39 was closed above East Fork Road and mandatory evacuation orders were issued.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Vicki Gregory said about 40 people were evacuated from the Crystal Lake campground. The Coldbrook campground also was evacuated, but it was unclear how many people were displaced.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory, warning that air quality will reach unhealthy levels in smoke-impacted areas in the mountains and downwind of the fire.
People in affected areas were being advised to avoid vigorous outdoor activity, and people with respiratory or heart disease should remain indoors, as should children and older adults, according to the AQMD.
Four helicopters and six air tankers helped fight the flames on Saturday. Some of those resources were diverted to the Lincoln Fire in Montebello on Sunday.
—City News Service