East Fire in Angeles National Forest torches nearly 150 acres of brush; 20% contained

Crews are working to contain a brush fire burning in the hills above Glendora.

The East Fire was first reported around 2:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon and was burning along Glendora Mountain Road and East Fork Road within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, according to the Angeles National Forest.

As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, the fire was estimated to have burned 149 acres and was reported to be at 20% containment.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from the 210 and 605 freeways.

Due to the steep terrain, access to the blaze was limited for ground units, who instead had to rely on a heavy attack from water-dropping aircraft. 

"The aircraft are working on the very north end where the fire ran to to help keep the head of the fire knocked down so it's not spreading," said US Forest Service Battalion Chief Seneca Smith.

Crews from Cal Fire, the Angeles National Forest and the Los Angeles County Fire Department were working to extinguish the flames.

Glendora Mountain Road from Glendora to the East Fork Road and Glendora Ridge Road from Mount Baldy Road to Glendora Mountain Road are closed as firefighting efforts continue.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire.