Bridge, Airport wildfires in Southern California near full containment

The two large Southern California wildfires burning since last month were nearly fully contained Friday, fire officials said.

The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties remained at 54,878 acres with 98% containment “due to the dangerous steep terrain along the fire perimeter,” according to a statement Friday morning from the Angeles National Forest. 

“Residents and visitors will continue to see isolated smoke from single tree fires well within the fire perimeter,” forest officials said. “In addition to fire suppression, utility companies are hard at work restoring power, internet and phone service to areas affected by the fire.”

The Bridge Fire started Sept. 8 in the San Gabriel Canyon above Glendora and swiftly spread into San Bernardino County. 

It has destroyed 81 structures, damaged 17 and caused injuries to eight firefighters, Cal Fire reported.

As of Friday 78 personnel were assigned to the firefight, and numerous air tankers from throughout the state were flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow, officials said.

Road closures included eastbound Big Pines Highway at Largo Vista Road open to residents only; State Route 2 at Flume Canyon Road westbound; Mescal Creek Road at Mescal Canyon Road; Glendora Mountain Road north of Big Dalton Canyon Road; and Glendora Ridge Road from Mount Baldy to Glendora Mountain Road.

A forest closure is in effect for the Bridge Fire area through Dec. 31, 2025.

Airport Fire

In Orange and Riverside counties, the Airport Fire was at 97% containment Friday and had burned 23,526 acres.

Crews remained on the fireline monitoring for flare-ups and doing repair work for fire suppression and infrastructure repairs, Cal Fire reported Friday. 

“A drone outfitted with infrared sensors flew the fire yesterday. It reported no additional heat signatures near any of the containment lines,” according to Cal Fire. “The fire has been static for a week, meaning it has not expanded or consumed any more acreage. Fire engines and crews continue to be posted in strategic areas around the fire, watching out for any changes.” 

Officials reported smoke to the east of the Airport Fire from the Line Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, which flared up last week and has burned nearly 44,000 acres since Sep. 5.

“(Airport Fire) suppression repair efforts are ongoing in all areas of the incident, with focus for the next few days centering on the Bedford Road and Santiago Ridge trails,” according to Cal Fire on Friday. “Work continues on several sections in the south. Hazardous tree mitigation is also nearly complete in the Trabuco Canyon areas, with completion expected in the next day or two.”

A temporary flight restriction that was initiated at the beginning of the Airport Fire on Sept. 9 has been lifted.

A forest closure is still in effect for the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. 

“Please do not enter the closure area or recreate on any of the fire lines constructed for the incident,” officials said. “The scope of the closure may be reduced in the near future if deemed prudent and safe. For now, the full closure remains.”

The Airport Fire was accidentally started by an Orange County Public Works crew doing repair work near Trabuco Canyon, authorities said.

Road closures as of Friday included Trabuco Creek Road, Maple Springs Road, North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway and Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway.

Highway 74 is open, but infrastructure repair is occurring there. Fire officials urged motorists to use caution and “slow  to a safe speed.” Intermittent lengthy delays due to ongoing repair work along the highway were expected. Several roads off of Ortega Highway in or near the fire area in Riverside and Orange Counties remain closed.

On Friday 191 personnel were fighting the fire, which has destroyed 160 structures, damaged 34 and injured 20 firefighters.

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