Bridge to Nowhere Fire

[Breezymtns]

I am not sure if anyone has mentioned but there were helicopters in the air during this time in realtion to the missing hunter incident.....  So they were exercising caution with other air traffic.

[rdnckgrl78]

Any new information on this fire?

[rdnckgrl78]

I found this information 


A forest fire north of Azusa charred 75 acres Saturday and continues to burn uncontrollably.

The fire was reported at about 2:20 p.m. in the vicinity of the Bridge to Nowhere and Sheep Mountain Wilderness, near East Fork Road and Highway 39 in San Gabriel Canyon, said Dee Bechert of the U.S. Forest Service.

About 160 firefighters either hiked or were flown into the area deep in the Angeles National Forest to fight the flames.

No injuries or structural damage were reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, she said.

Reports from the scene indicated that sheriff's deputies were helping to evacuate a large number of hikers and other recreation enthusiasts in the area.

[Wrightwood]

The Nowhere Fire (ie "Bridge to Nowhere") began at approximately 2:40pm on Saturday and has burned 75 acres in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness in the vicinity of Devil's Gulch (just west of Airplane Flat) on the San Gabriel River RD. There is no containment, however 4 airtankers, 2 helicopters and several crews and engines are assigned to the fire (approx. 200 firefighters total). There are no structures threatened and no evacuations other than recreationists. There was no major smoke showing this morning , but ash may continue to fall over parts of SG Canyon and the SG Valley throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to be above normal but winds should be light, helping containment efforts.

The East Fork of SG Canyon is closed above the turnoff to Glendora Mountain Road. Everything below this point remains open (for instance, the Oaks picnic area). Hikers leaving from off of the Angeles Crest Highway heading south should also be aware that the area of the fire is closed. This would include Inspiration Point / Blue Ridge and any other areas west of Wrightwood that provides access to the Sheep Mtn. Wilderness.

Stanton Florea
Fire Information / Public Affairs
Angeles National Forest
Arcadia, CA

[WWDREAMN]

any updates?
I am also curious just how far is this fire from Wrightwood?

[rdnckgrl78]

A small blaze continues to burn in a remote area of the Angeles National Forest Sunday and has now charred about 200 acres.

About 200 firefighters were airlifted in to an isolated area to fight the Nowhere Fire, reported Saturday afternoon near the Bridge to Nowhere in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness.

The area is accessible only by foot.

About 170 firefighters will work all night to knock down the Nowhere Fire, which is only about 35 percent contained.

On Saturday, deputies from the San Dimas station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department escorted about a half-dozen hikers from the area. Another man and his dog were located early Sunday after they didn't return as planned Saturday night.

No evacuations have been ordered and there are no homes in the area of the fire, which is burning on private and public lands within Los Angeles County near the San Bernardino County line.

[KWBoy]

any updates?
I am also curious just how far is this fire from Wrightwood?

It would take a heck of alot of burned acres to come close to wrightwood. 

[Wrightwood]

As of 1800 hours 11-19-06

240 acres, 30% contained

Critical Resource Needs:
(1) HELCO, (1) Spike Camp Mgr., (2) Paramedics

Major problems and concerns:
Accessibility due to Wilderness Area and the predicted hot, dry weather.

Resources threatened:
East Fork San Gabriel River Watershed, Sheep Mountain Wilderness Habitat, Big Horn Sheep, and Santa Ana Sucker.

Current Weather Conditions
Wind Speed: 3-6 G10 mph
Temperature: 78-83
Wind Direction: NE
Relative Humidity: 16-23%

Fuels/Materials Involved: 4 Chaparral (6 Feet); 4 year old foothill mixed chaparral

Today's observed fire behavior: Today's fire behavior was light with some roll out that threatens containment lines in Division A.

Significant events today: Closure of East Fork Road continues at Glendora Mountain Road. Transition to USFS Type II IMT (Kerr) to occur at 1800 hrs. 11-19-06. Due to extreme terrain and travel times spiking of crews has been necessitated.

OUTLOOK

Tomorrow's Forecasted Weather
Wind Speed: 10-15G30 mph
Temperature: 82-86
Wind Direction: NE-SW
Relative Humidity: 10-15

Actions planned for next operational period:
Continue containment line construction and mop-up

Projected incident movement/spread during next operational period:
Moderate rate of spread to the West into Devil's Gulch.

For fire incidents, describe resistance to control in terms of:
1. Growth Potential - Medium
2. Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme

Remarks: Transition to USFS Type II IMT (Kerr) to occur at 1800 hrs. on 11-19-06

COMMITTED RESOURCES (SR=Single Resource; ST=Strike Team)

CREWS 5 type1 SR; 4 type1 ST
HELICOPTERS 3 heli2; 1 heli3
ENGINES 2 SR
DOZERS 0
WATERTENDERS 1 SR
OVERHEAD 41
231 personnel total

HELTK 2 SR
FIXEDWING 2 SR

[Wrightwood]

[kawasaki_girl]

I've hiked all the way through from Highway 2 to the Bridge to Nowhere. It is extremly steep, rugged and would be very tough to fight a fire in there. Lots of brush, and very, very steep slopes.

[Wrightwood]

230 acres and 90% contained

No observed fire behavior during this operational period (last night).

No expected movement during the next operational period (today).

Demob of excess ressources will continue today with preparations underway to transition back to local forest tomorrow morning at 0600.