Saturday, July 18, 2015

Pine Fire in Angeles National Forest grows to 200 acres; 35 percent contained


Smoke from the Pine Fire billows above the trees in the Angeles National Forest on Saturday, July 18, 2015.
Smoke from the Pine Fire billows above the trees in the Angeles National Forest on Saturday, July 18, 2015. (KABC)
A fast-moving brush fire in the Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood threatened structures and caused hundreds of evacuations from multiple campgrounds. The fire is 35 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire, dubbed the Pine Fire, was reported at about 9:30 p.m. Friday in heavy timber in the 24500 block of North Angeles Crest Highway, according to Los Angeles County firefighters. About 150 firefighters were on scene.

The flames have burned 200 acres. Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) from Wrightwood to Big Pines was reported shut down. Highway 2 was also shut down from Islip Saddle to the Los Angeles County line.

About 90 Girl Scouts evacuated from Table Mountain Campground and 300 campers were evacuated from Lion's Campground, AFY Campground and Christian Summer Camp, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said. About 130 of the campers were deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

All were taken by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department vans and jail buses headed to Serrano High School, 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan.

No human injuries were immediately reported. Pine trees, though, are burning alive.