by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com

The Bridge Fire has burned 1,255 acres north of Azusa and is 0% contained, according to the latest update from U.S. Forest Service officials, as high temperatures and strong winds continue to aid its expansion.

And though the sky in Claremont is a sickly yellow and thick with ash, U.S. Forest Service Angeles National Forest Public Affairs Officer Dana Dierkes said structures in the City of Trees and the unincorporated areas directly northwest of town are not in danger. “This fire is currently pretty far removed from the Claremont area,” Dierkes said at 1 p.m. Monday. “The fire is above Azusa at this point in time.”

No loss of life, injuries, or loss of property due to the fire has been reported thus far.

As of 1 p.m. Monday the west end of the fire was being held at Shoemaker Canyon Road and the south at Glendora Mountain Road above Azusa. Dierkes said there was no imminent danger to structures in that area either.

The air quality index was an unhealthy 187 in Claremont at 2 p.m. Monday, according to airnow.gov.

Claremont Unified School District issued an update on air quality and school safety measures Monday afternoon, which read in part, “we want to assure you that our students’ and staff’s safety and well-being remain our top priority. We understand and share you concerns regarding the poor air quality …” The district said it was monitoring pollution levels and that outdoor activities would be “adjusted accordingly to minimize exposure.”

For the latest updates on the fire, go to inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-bridge-fire. Additional information, including some dramatic video, is posted on the Angeles National Forest Facebook page at facebook.com/angelesnationalforest.

A U.S. Forest Service aircraft drops fire retardant on the Bridge Fire, burning above Azusa, on Saturday afternoon. Photo/courtesy of U.S.F.S.

There were 150 firefighters on the scene Monday afternoon, including local crews from Angeles National Forest and LA County, California Highway Patrol, LA County Sheriff’s Department, and four USFS helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft dropping water and fire retardant on the blaze.

“Overnight the fire behavior was extremely active, moving south to Glendora Mountain Road,” Dierkes said at 1 p.m. Monday, adding she didn’t have any new information as to which direction the blaze was currently headed.

Mandatory evacuations were implemented Sunday in the East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort, including the cafe, mobile home park, and campground, and River Community, which is near the resort.

The local mountains received some sporadic rain Sunday afternoon, but those squalls did not reach the Bridge Fire site, Dierkes said.

San Gabriel Canyon and the East Fork of the San Gabriel River remain closed to all visitors. Road closures include Highway 39, East Fork Road, Glendora Ridge Road, and Glendora Mountain Road.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“If you’re coming to visit the Angeles National Forest, please remember that our fire danger level is high,” Dierkes said. “It’s really important to know before you go; always check fire restrictions for each visit, as restrictions can change at any time with little to no notice.” For the latest updates, go to the Angeles National Forest’s fire danger page is at fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles.