Fire Erupts in Angeles National Forest

Los Angeles County fire crews spent Monday afternoon and evening working a brush fire in the Angeles National Forest after flames broke out west of Burro Peak above the San Gabriel Valley. CAL FIRE identified the incident as the Burro Fire and listed it at 30 acres with 20% containment on its active incidents page late Monday. No injuries were immediately reported. Burro Canyon Shooting Park was evacuated as firefighters moved resources into steep terrain near the blaze. ### Where did the fire start? Burro Peak, in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, was the reference point officials and local reports used Monday as crews described the fire’s location. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the blaze was burning west of Burro Peak, and CBS Los Angeles said it was reported near Burro Canyon Shooting Park. (fire.ca.gov) Monday afternoon timing was consistent across reports. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune said the fire was reported just after 12:30 p.m., while another local report said CAL FIRE identified the start time at about 1:26 p.m. The difference reflects the early, fast-moving stage of the response, when agencies and local outlets often publish rolling updates. (sgvtribune.com) ### How large was the Burro Fire by Monday night? CAL FIRE’s statewide incidents page listed the Burro Fire at 30 acres and 20% containment late Monday. That page also showed the fire started on May 18 in Los Angeles County and remained an active incident. Local coverage put the burn area in the same range. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the fire had burned about 30 to 35 acres as of Monday afternoon. (sgvtribune.com) The Desert Sun described it as a moderately burning wildfire in the forest. ### Who was affected on the ground? Burro Canyon Shooting Park was evacuated Monday as the fire burned nearby. (fire.ca.gov) CBS Los Angeles reported the range had been cleared, and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune said evacuations took place there during the initial response. Keila Vizcarra, a spokeswoman for the Angeles National Forest, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that no one had been injured. (sgvtribune.com) The available reports reviewed did not identify damaged homes or other destroyed structures by Monday night. ### Which agencies were handling the response? (cbsnews.com) CAL FIRE carried the incident on its active emergency list Monday, but the location inside the Angeles National Forest meant federal forest officials were also central to the response. The Forest Service says Angeles National Forest has 23 fire stations and describes itself as home to the largest wildland firefighting force of any national forest in the United States. (sgvtribune.com) The Angeles National Forest sits immediately above densely populated communities in Los Angeles County. The Forest Service describes it as an urban national forest serving surrounding communities, a fact that helps explain why even a 30-acre fire can trigger evacuations and close recreation sites quickly. ### Why did this fire draw attention so quickly? Los Angeles County already had another active wildfire Monday. (fire.ca.gov) CAL FIRE’s incidents page showed the larger Isaac Fire, also in Los Angeles County, at 108 acres with 0% containment, underscoring the broader fire activity in Southern California on May 18. CAL FIRE said in its seasonal outlook that Southern California is forecast to remain warmer and drier than normal, with below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures supporting increasing fuel vulnerability. (fs.usda.gov) That outlook was posted alongside the agency’s active incidents data. ### What comes next for residents and visitors? CAL FIRE said its incident information is updated frequently, and Monday night’s listing showed the Burro Fire remained active. (fire.ca.gov) The most immediate next steps are continued containment work and any changes to access, evacuations or closures issued by CAL FIRE and the Angeles National Forest. The Angeles National Forest directs visitors to check current conditions, alerts and closures before traveling in the forest. (fire.ca.gov) For this fire, the next public updates were expected through CAL FIRE’s incidents page and Angeles National Forest alerts as crews remained on scene after May 18. (fs.usda.gov)