A fast-moving wildfire north of Los Angeles on the edge of the Angeles National Forest caused the city of Glendora to cancel school, order mass evacuations and declare a state of emergency.
Two homes have been destroyed in the fire’s 1,700-acre path, and one person suffered minor burns. No firefighters have been injured. (Via KCAL)
Three men have been arrested in connection with building the campfire that could have started the flames. They are being held in the city jail on $20,000 bond. (Via KTTV)
Glendora Police Chief Timothy Staab said one of the men admitted to starting the fire. Staab described at least one of the subjects as "apologetic."
U.S. Forest Service officials say the blaze, officially dubbed the Colby Fire, was reported around 6 a.m. Thursday. (Via KABC)
According to the Los Angeles Times, when officials first arrived on the scene, the fire had burned 40 acres. But by 8 a.m., it had reportedly swallowed at least 125 acres, and now it has grown rapidly to 1,700 acres.
KNBC reports 700 firefighters are on the scene. The forces on the ground are aided by various aircraft that can dump 30,000 gallons of water and spray foam.
But the area's steep terrain and dry, windy conditions made it nearly impossible for firefighters to get the flames under control. (Via The Weather Channel)
Mandatory evacuations were put into effect by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office for several areas in the fire's direct path. (Via WSVN)
The fire comes just after the National Weather Service put red-flag warnings into effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until Friday afternoon, meaning the already dry conditions are being made worse by extremely low humidity. (Via County of Los Angeles)
What's even worse, according to CNN: This is the first fire in the area since 1968, which means there's a large amount of brush and similar tinder for the flames to easily spread to.
