Locals who frequent a California resort in the heart of the Angeles National Forest fear their family getaway destination will eventually be destroyed by the wildfires sweeping the state.
Eduardo Flores, 32, has spent summers on the East Fork of the San Gabriel River with his family since he was young, and this summer was no exception.
As Southern California experienced record triple-digit temperatures, Flores and his family had driven from South Los Angeles to the East Fork area to cool off.
Flores recalled that her trip to the area was cut short on July 19 after they were evacuated when The Fork Fire broke out.
The Fork Fire burned 301 acres of land and was contained nine days later on July 28, according to The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Locals visiting the East Fork of the San Gabriel River were evacuated in early July when The Fork Fire broke out.
“It was scary. It was unexpected because we always come here and nothing like this had ever happened,” Eduardo Flores, 32, who was visiting at the time, said of the evacuation.
Flores and his family returned to their usual vacation spot on September 7, when the fire at the Bridge broke out the next day.
Flores told the Gate of Saint Francis“It was something terrifying, unexpected because we always come here and nothing like that had ever happened.”
Angeles National Forest San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Manager Matthew Bokach said an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people were in the area when the fire broke out, he said. Gate of Saint Francis.
Bokach told the outlet: ‘When you have something like this, my nightmare scenario has always been that the canyon is completely filled, no one can get in or out, and we have a fire on a slope right above the river,
“People will panic, they won’t be able to get anywhere, either on foot or by car,” he continued.
An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people were in the isolated area of the San Gabriel Mountains when the fire broke out.
The fire destroyed at least 33 homes in the Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy areas, and firefighters have now been able to achieve three percent containment, compared with several days when there was no containment at all.
“That’s always been my biggest nightmare on the East Fork, and it’s not an unfeasible possibility.”
So far, no accidents with injuries have been reported.
The Bridge Fire has spread to nearly 53,000 acres and reached three percent containment Friday morning after several days at zero percent.
The fire, which started in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday afternoon, has destroyed at least 33 homes in the Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy areas, according to CBS News.
Cal Fire said firefighters were able to contain more of the blaze overnight Thursday, helped by cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
The Fork Fire burned 301 acres of land and was contained nine days later on July 28.
Evacuation warnings have been ordered throughout Los Angeles County and San Bernadino County with multiple care shelters and animal shelters available.
However, San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Eric Sherwin warns that the fire “still poses a very real threat” despite the cooling temperatures. CBS News reported.
Authorities said a man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the Line Fire, which is burning in the foothills of the San Bernardino National Forest and spans more than 36,400 acres, according to NBC News.
Evacuation warnings Social distancing measures have been ordered throughout Los Angeles County and San Bernadino County with multiple care shelters and animal shelters available.
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