The Bridge Fire has already destroyed homes in Wrightwood and Mount Baldy – and now residents of nearby Piñon Hills are terrified it’s just a matter of time before their own homes are reduced to ash.
The Bridge Fire started Sunday in the San Gabriel Canyon area and exploded in size within a matter of days, scorching some 49,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon. It’s destroyed about 40 structures, mostly homes, in Mount Baldy and Wrightwood. It continues to threaten thousands more as firefighters battle to steer the flames away from neighborhoods.
Piñon Hills is about six miles from Wrightwood and the flames approached dangerously close Tuesday night. Residents had to scramble to evacuate with only the most essential of possessions.
Some returned Wednesday but the ash and smoke remained thick in the air.
A local resident named Rochelle, who was still recovering from brain surgery, struggled to find the words as she was overcome with emotion describing her fears about her home and pets.