Gulch Fire burning near San Gabriel Dam 45% contained
A roughly 113-acre brush fire burning near San Gabriel Dam in the Angeles National Forest was 45% contained Thursday.
"The fire ... is burning upslope west and northwest," according to an ANF statement Tuesday. "Warm and dry conditions can be expected across the incident today with gusts pushing the fire northwest. The Angeles National Forest is aggressively working to contain the Gulch Fire with 179 firefighters diligently working through the day and night alongside air support."
ANF noted that Highway 39 was closed north of Azusa as crews continued to work both from the ground and via water-dropping aircraft.
The flames spread quickly over the steep terrain due to the dense brush in the area.
No structures were immediately threatened by the blaze and the cause was still unknown.
Firefighters make gains against Gulch Fire
The 113-acre Gulch Fire is 45% contained as of Thursday morning, according to Los Angeles County Fire and Angeles National Forest officials. With the 150-acre East Fire burning nearby, forest officials say there will not be access to San Gabriel Canyon anytime soon.
No structures were threatened by either fire.
Highway 39 and San Gabriel Canyon Road, north of Azusa, remain closed during the firefight and Caltrans says State Route 39 from the San Gabriel River Bridge to Crystal Lake Road could remain closed throughout the Labor Day weekend.
Fire reaches 113 acres; 35% contained
The #GulchFire is currently 113 acres with 35% containment. Overnight, firefighters continued to keep the fire within established containment lines and have been successful in extinguishing hot spots near the fire perimeter. For more info visit: https://t.co/5xFYDqd283 pic.twitter.com/tnbMTO3Quo
— Angeles National Forest (@Angeles_NF) August 31, 2022
During their overnight battle with the flames, crews were able to keep the fire within containment lines.
OCFA makes history, drops retardant on flames at night
History Made!
— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) August 31, 2022
Last night the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) helicopters dropped fire retardant at night on the #GulchFire. This marks the first time in Southern California history that firefighting helicopters have dropped retardant at night. (1 of 3) pic.twitter.com/5Emu3Au4Ql
As the Gulch Fire continues to range in the Angeles National Forest, Orange County Fire Authority officials reported the first ever instance of their department dropping flame retardant on an active fire at night — signaling a massive step in Southern California's ability to continue battling wildfires from above at all hours of the day.
Gulch Fire now 25% contained
As of late Tuesday morning, the fire was listed at 110 acres and 25% contained, according to Angeles National Forest officials.
Gulch Frie grows to 110 acres
As of 1 a.m., the fire was 110 acres and 0% contained with night ops crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest battling the fire.
Gulch Fire erupts to 100 acres
The pair of fires have grown to reach more than 100 acres worth of burnt brush in Azusa, prompting emergency response crews to close Highway 39 north of Azusa as they continued to fight the flames from the ground and via more than 10 water-dropping aircraft.
Gulch Fire grows
The Gulch Fire burning along San Gabriel Canyon Road near San Gabriel Dam has burned 10-15 acres.