A wildfire that broke out late Friday forced the evacuation of hundreds of campers from the forest in the San Gabriel Mountains near Wrightwood and scorched more than 200 acres before firefighters, aided by the rain, got the upper hand Saturday, authorities said.
The fire was first reported about 9:30 p.m. along Angeles Crest Highway between Wrightwood and Big Pines, along the border between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
The wildfire, labeled the Pines Fire, grew well beyond 100 acres in size less than two hours later, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department officials, who joined San Bernardino County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service firefighters to attack the flames.
“The fuel is heavy timber, in steep terrain,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Lisa Lugo said. The fire was 35 percent contained.
About 300 campers, including 130 deaf and hearing-impaired children, were evacuated from camps including the Lion’s, Apple Tree, Verdugo, Table Mountain and Peavin campgrounds, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Lisa Lugo said. The observatory at Table Mountain was also evacuated. About 90 Girl Scouts were evacuated from the Table Top Mount Campground, sheriff’s officials said.
John Martin, executive director of the Kare Youth League’s camp, Mount Kare, in the evacuation zone, thanked God and highly skilled and professional staff members for getting the more than 80 girls from grades four through six safely out of the forest. The girls, who came from KYL facilities in Covina, Arcadia and Upland, were all reunited with their families Saturday morning.
“We’re just extremely thankful for our leaders,” said the director of the Christian sports youth sports organization. “And for God’s safety, and for the outcome.”
Martin especially credited Program Director Kristy and Resident Camp Director Charles Parsons for their actions.
“As soon as anything happened, Mrs. Horton just immediately directed all the coaches to get their girls on the bus,” Martin said. “We have our own fleet of buses and our coaches are all licensed bus drivers.”
Fortunately, the girls were already gathered together in the camp’s mess hall when word of the fire emerged, camp officials said. The evening’s campfire had been cancelled due to high winds.
As the bus made it’s way down the mountain, a warning light indicated a mechanical problem, KYL officials said in a statement. The driver pulled into Jensen’s Foods in Wrightwood, which was out of the danger area, as the driver headed back to retrieve another bus.
“Though the market was closed there was staff there stocking shelves and they opened their doors to receive the girls,” KYL officials said in a written statement. “They provided the girls snacks and water and let them use their restrooms. This greatly helped calm the girls before the final ride home.”
“We’re praising God for what he did throughout this ordeal,” Martin said.
Via Twitter, sheriff’s officials tried to assure worried parents that their children were safe with deputies and firefighters as concerned family members flooded the sheriff’s department with phone calls. “We will get them out. Overwhelming calls slowing desk,” officials wrote.
Officials announced shortly after 1 a.m. that the campers were on their way out of the forest in school buses, under an escort from deputies.
Evacuees were being brought to Serrano High School, 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan, which was also serving as the evacuation center for the nearby North Fire burning along the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass. Deputies advised parents to bring identification with them when picking up children.
The fire resulted in no reported injuries.
Though officials initially worried about dry conditions, the weather became cooperative with firefighters, even dropping a heavy rain late Saturday morning.
“The rain has had a definite effect on the fire,” U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy said early Saturday afternoon. “It pretty much has laid down. There’s some hot spots here and there.”
While potential for lightning strikes was a concern, “I’ve not heard of any difficulties at this time,” Rollman said.
No structures were imminently threatened by the fire, however firefighters were kept a watchful eye on the Table Mountain observatory, as well as the numerous outbuilding of the many camps “sprinkled throughout that entire area,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Sherry Rollman said. But the rainfall eased concerns over potential structure threats.
Evacuations remained in effect and continued to be re-assessed, officials said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Angeles Crest Highway was shut down in the area as firefighters continued into the early morning hours Saturday, according to Caltrans.
At least three helicopters and an airplane joined about 150 firefighters on the ground in the efforts overnight, fire officials said.
Five strike teams, two hotshot crews, nine engines and three water tenders worked the fire Saturday.