Bridge Fire

The Bridge Fire burned in an area with little to no recent fire history.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=CalTopo Backcountry Mapping |url=https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.28417,-117.69928&z=11&b=imagery&a=fire_recent%2Cmodis_p |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=CalTopo |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112090446/https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.28417,-117.69928&z=11&b=imagery&a=fire_recent%2Cmodis_p |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2024}} Two prior wet winters contributed to the growth of vegetation in the fire area. Weather conditions, including gusty southwest winds and low relative humidity, led to a Red Flag Warning to be issued{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=IEM |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/search.php#eventsbypoint/-117.7620/34.2390 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=IEM |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919185144/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/search.php#eventsbypoint/-117.7620/34.2390 |url-status=live }} and allowed for rapid fire growth.{{Cite news |last1=Fry |first1=Hannah |last2=Ferazzi |first2=Gina |last3=Ahn |first3=Ashley |last4=Lin |first4=Summer |date=September 11, 2024 |title=SoCal mountain communities under siege, homes burn as massive fires explode |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-11/bridge-fire-airport-fire-line-fire-mountain-communities-burn |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

The Bridge Fire burned simultaneously with the {{convert|43978|acres|ha|abbr=out|adj=on}} Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the {{convert|23526|acres|ha|abbr=out|adj=on}} Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside Counties.{{Cite news |last1=Wenzke |first1=Marissa |last2=Fioresi |first2=Dean |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Matthew |last4=Salem |first4=Iris |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Line Fire in Southern California scorches more than 34,000 acres as thousands flee their homes |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/in-line-fire-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-continues-to-grow/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=CBS News |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910222315/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/in-line-fire-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-continues-to-grow/ |url-status=live }} The three concurrent wildfires strained the capacities of Southern California fire agencies, leading them to request additional resources from Northern California and other states.{{Cite news |last=Graff |first=Amy |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Three raging wildfires bring devastation to Southern California |url=https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/wildfires-devastation-southern-california-19756659.php |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=SFGate}}{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=Helen |date=2024-09-11 |title=Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest becomes 8 times bigger |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bridge-fire-remains-a-threat-to-mt-baldy-area-near-glendora/3508011/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US |quote=As Southern California battled other major fires, including the Airport Fire in Orange County and the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, fire departments were faced with "stressing" resources, prompting LA County officials to asking for support from Northern California and other states, Marrone said. |archive-date=2024-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911000041/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bridge-fire-remains-a-threat-to-mt-baldy-area-near-glendora/3508011/ |url-status=live }}

The Bridge Fire began at 2:12 p.m. PDT on Sunday, September 8, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Bridge Fire |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/8/bridge-fire |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=www.fire.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection}}{{Cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Ruby |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Cause of 54,000 acre Bridge fire is Under Investigation. |url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/09/26/cause-of-54000-acre-bridge-fire-remains-under-investigation/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |archive-date=October 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241013083615/https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/09/26/cause-of-54000-acre-bridge-fire-remains-under-investigation/ |url-status=live }} The cause of the fire is Under Investigation. It ignited near Cattle Canyon Bridge, for which it was named,{{Cite news |last=Cosgrove |first=Jaclyn |date=September 27, 2024 |title=These hiking trails are closed because of the Southern California wildfires |url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-09-27/hiking-trails-closed-southern-california-fires |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002003422/https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-09-27/hiking-trails-closed-southern-california-fires |url-status=live }} in the vicinity of East Fork Road and Glendora Mountain Road in San Gabriel Canyon.

The fire spread to {{convert|800|acres|ha|abbr=out}} by early Sunday evening.{{Cite news |last=Fioresi |first=Dean |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Bridge Fire in California's Angeles National Forest grows to 3,000 acres, evacuations and road closures in place |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/bridge-fire-burning-in-angeles-national-forest-prompts-evacuations-and-road-closures/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |work=CBS News}} At 7:15 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for two populated areas in the East Fork San Gabriel River canyon, Camp Williams and River Community.{{Cite news |last1=Fonseca |first1=Ryan |last2=Hubbard |first2=Amy |date=September 8, 2024 |title=Bridge fire in Angeles National Forest blackens 800 acres; visitors, residents flee |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-08/bridge-fire-angeles-national-forest-visitors-evacuated |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911000454/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-08/bridge-fire-angeles-national-forest-visitors-evacuated |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sharp |first=Julie |date=September 11, 2024 |title=California's Bridge Fire destroys 33 homes after exploding overnight |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=CBS News |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911143725/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |url-status=live }}

By Monday, September 9, the fire had burned {{convert|1255|acres|ha|abbr=out}}.{{Cite news |last1=Gonzales |first1=Ruby |last2=Klick |first2=Andrea |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Baldy Village ordered evacuated as Bridge fire burns in Angeles National Forest |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2024/09/09/bridge-fire-grows-to-1255-acres-in-the-angeles-national-forest-with-0-containment/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911172419/https://www.dailybulletin.com/2024/09/09/bridge-fire-grows-to-1255-acres-in-the-angeles-national-forest-with-0-containment/ |url-status=live }} At 5:30 p.m., mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Mount Baldy Village, extending between the San Antonio Dam and Mount Baldy Resort. By that night the fire had burned {{convert|2995|acres|ha|abbr=out}}. Firefighters were concentrated on halting the southward progression of the fire and protecting homes in the East Fork San Gabriel River area.{{Cite news |last1=Fry |first1=Hannah |last2=Lin |first2=Summer |last3=Serna |first3=Joseph |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Skies above Southern California wildfire looked like 'a nuclear warhead had been set off' |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-09/line-fire-bridge-fire-scorch-thousands-acres |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

On Tuesday, September 10, the fire "exploded" to the north and northeast and grew considerably, from about {{convert|4000|acres|ha|abbr=out}} to more than {{convert|34000|acres|ha|abbr=out}} within hours.{{Cite news |last=Sharp |first=Julie |date=September 11, 2024 |title=California's Bridge Fire explodes overnight, spanning 2 counties, Wrightwood community evacuated |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=CBS News |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010074236/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |url-status=live }} It continued to grow overnight, burning an additional {{convert|13000|acres|ha|abbr=out}} on its northern and eastern flanks as firefighters prioritized protecting buildings in Wrightwood, Piñon Hills, and Mount Baldy Village.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Bridge Fire Morning Update 09-11-2024 |url=https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/caanf-bridge-fire/bridge-fire-morning-update-09-11-2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=InciWeb}} Thousands of people fled those communities, and some reported receiving no evacuation warning before being forced to leave immediately.{{Cite news |last=Wenzke |first=Marissa |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Nearly all evacuations lifted in Bridge Fire after it became California's largest active wildfire |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/nearly-all-evacuations-lifted-in-bridge-fire-after-it-became-californias-largest-active-wildfire/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=CBS News |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009050650/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/nearly-all-evacuations-lifted-in-bridge-fire-after-it-became-californias-largest-active-wildfire/ |url-status=live }} The Chief Executive Officer of San Bernardino County issued a proclamation of a local emergency in the county.{{Cite web |title=Bridge Fire |url=https://prepare.sbcounty.gov/bridge-fire/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Preparedness Starts Here |language=en-US}}

On Wednesday, September 11, 480 firefighting personnel were assigned to the Bridge Fire and California governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation of a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

By September 12, the fire had burned {{convert|51792|acres|ha|abbr=out}} and was zero percent contained.

Three percent of the fire perimeter was reported as contained on September 14.

On September 15, 2,600 emergency personnel were fighting the fire and had increased containment to nine percent. Cal Fire said that the crews had contained the spread of the fire overnight to be "minimal" at 800 acres.{{Cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=David |last2=Hutchinson |first2=Bill |date=2024-09-15 |title=California Wildfires updates: Firefighters score success in containment battle |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-wildfires-updates-firefighters-score-success-containment-battle/story?id=113697060 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916014905/https://abcnews.go.com/US/california-wildfires-updates-firefighters-score-success-containment-battle/story?id=113697060 |url-status=live }} Helicopters were unable to fly the prior night due to the smoke hampering visibility.{{Cite web |last=report {{!}} |first=Staff |date=2024-09-15 |title=Bridge fire map shows more than 50 homes and structures destroyed or damaged |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2024/09/15/bridge-fire-map-shows-more-than-50-homes-and-structures-damaged-or-destroyed/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Daily News |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916233650/https://www.dailynews.com/2024/09/15/bridge-fire-map-shows-more-than-50-homes-and-structures-damaged-or-destroyed/ |url-status=live }}

By September 19, the fire burned 54,795 acres (22,175 ha). Containment reached 49 percent with progress continuing as two evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings and one evacuation warning was lifted.{{Cite web |last1=Sharp |first1=Julie |last2=Wenzke |first2=Marissa |last3=Salem |first3=Iris |date=2024-09-17 |title=Crews make "great progress" on containment of California's Bridge Fire - CBS Los Angeles |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917074208/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/californias-bridge-fire-explodes-overnight-spanning-2-counties-wrightwood-community-evacuated/ |url-status=live }}

By Thursday, September 26, the fire had burned {{convert|54878|acres|ha|abbr=out}} acres and was 97 percent contained.

In October, containment of the fire reached 99 percent. Fire activity was low, except for a small flare up near the Iron Fork Canyon area near the fire's western flank. The fire burned a total of {{convert|55126|acres|ha|abbr=out}} by October 21.{{Cite web |title=Bridge Fire: Incident Update on 10/21/2024 at 10:15 PM {{!}} CAL FIRE |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/8/bridge-fire/updates/d95bc281-6e6b-4c1a-9a03-3eef447c30b3 |website=www.fire.ca.gov}}

By November 26, the Bridge Fire reached 100 percent containment, after burning a total of {{convert|56030|acres|ha|abbr=out}}.

Eight firefighters were injured in the course of the fire; according to the Forest Service, none of the injuries were major.

The fire prompted evacuation orders for the communities of Camp Williams, River Community, Wrightwood, and Mount Baldy.{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Ruby |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Evacuation ordered in Wrightwood as Bridge fire continues to burn in the Angeles National Forest |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/09/10/growth-of-bridge-fire-burning-north-of-la-verne-slows-overnight-but-still-no-containment/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |work=The Orange County Register |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911012223/https://www.ocregister.com/2024/09/10/growth-of-bridge-fire-burning-north-of-la-verne-slows-overnight-but-still-no-containment/ |url-status=live }}

The Bridge Fire destroyed at least 81 buildings and damaged 19 more: 20 homes were lost in Mount Baldy Village, three homes were lost in Wrightwood, and six cabins burned in the mountain wilderness. The fire also burned the visitor center building at Grassy Hollow. Ski lifts were destroyed at the Mountain High ski resort, but staff there used snowmaking machines to wet nearby vegetation and the resort itself "[appeared] to be mostly unharmed by fire", according to CBS News. Two shacks and equipment belonging to the resort's ski patrol team were destroyed.{{Cite news |last=Dallow |first=Lily |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Mountain High Ski Patrol buildings and gear destroyed in Bridge Fire |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/mountain-high-ski-patrol-buildings-and-gear-destroyed-in-bridge-fire/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=KTLA |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927115808/https://ktla.com/news/local-news/mountain-high-ski-patrol-buildings-and-gear-destroyed-in-bridge-fire/ |url-status=live }}

The Bridge Fire burned multiple popular hiking trails in the San Gabriel Mountains. {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=out|spell=In}} of the Pacific Crest Trail between Vincent Gap and Wright Mountain burned, as did portions of the Bridge to Nowhere trail, the Old Mount Baldy Trail, the Bear Canyon Trail, and others.

The state of California requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant—which allows the federal government to cover a certain percentage of eligible firefighting costs—from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on September 10. FEMA granted the request at 9:18 p.m.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Bridge Fire |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240911/fema-fire-management-assistance-granted-bridge-fire |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=FEMA.gov |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911160028/https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240911/fema-fire-management-assistance-granted-bridge-fire |url-status=live }} Los Angeles County supervisor Lindsey Horvath signed a declaration of a local emergency.

On October 7, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion establishing multiple task forces for Economic Recovery, Watershed Hazard Assessment, Health and Social Services, Debris Removal and Rebuild, and Natural and Cultural Resources.{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2024 |title=LA County to establish task forces for Bridge Fire recovery |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bridge-fire-recovery-task-force/3531082/?os=fuzzsc&ref=app |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=KNBC |agency=City News Service}}

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