ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST — Authorities re-opened San Gabriel Canyon Road north of Azusa Thursday as firefighters finished up on an eight-acre brush fire.
With containment lines established around 90 percent of the remnants of Wednesday’s wildfire, traffic was being allowed on the forest road, though advised to move slowly due to emergency vehicles parked alongside the roadway, Angeles National Forest officials said.
“We do have some signs posted warning folks to slow down because there’s still emergency vehicles parked along the highway,” ANF supervisor Nathan Judy said.
About 20 personnel continued to monitor and “mop-up” any hot spots that remained of the fire, first reported about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday along the 9500 block of San Gabriel Canyon Road, just north of the Azusa city limit, officials said.
High humidity levels overnight helped keep the dwindling fire in check, and weather Thursday was also looking favorable for firefighters, Judy said.
Crews were expected to continue monitoring the area through the weekend, he added.
The cause was initially suspected to be related to the use of welding equipment in the area, but remained under investigation, officials said.
One Los Angeles County firefighter suffered a back injury while fighting the fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Brian Riley. No injuries to civilians or structure damage was reported.
Judy reminded foothill residents not to become complacent due to recent rainfall, as fire danger in the forest remains significant.
“Just because we’re getting rains and higher humidities, it doesnt mean we’re out of fire season, at least here in Southern California,” he said.