Firefighters endured triple-digit heat as they worked to contain a brush fire that had blackened more than 1,400 acres above Glendora on Saturday.
Fire crews got a handle on the so-called Cabin Fire, which broke out just after 1 p.m. Friday three miles north of Rincon-Redbox Road off Highway 39.
Officials earlier Saturday estimated that the fire had burned about 2,500 acres, but later downgraded that figure. As of Saturday night, it was 20 percent contained
Highway 39 was closed from the bottom of Old San Gabriel Canyon Rd to the intersection of Highway 2 for the remainder of the weekend, fire officials said.
At least one cabin was seen in aerial video engulfed in flames. Four structures had also burned.
More than 460 firefighters have been battling the blaze. Six firefighters were treated for minor injuries that included heat exhaustion, cuts and bee stings.
Early on, one helicopter involved in the effort made an emergency landing alongside a reservoir, possibly after clipping some power lines in the area. The aerial attack was critical to the firefighting effort, thanks to rugged terrain that limited the access of ground crews.
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Within 30 minutes of ignition, the brush fire had spread to a cabin nestled in the woods, and it quickly engulfed the structure.
The fast-moving fire also managed to jump Highway 39 as it pushed its way into the forest. Firefighters were trying today to get the western flank of the fire to burn toward an area that burned last year and has less fuel, creating a natural fire line to slow the spread, an official said.
"I could smell the smoke when I was asleep lsat night," said Azusa resident Mike Estrada.
Highway 39 was closed above East Fork Road and mandatory evacuation orders were issued along the highway north to Angeles Crest Highway.
Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Vicki Gregory said about 40 people were evacuated from Crystal Lake campground. The Coldbrook campground also was evacuated, but it was unclear how many people were at the camp.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory, warning that air quality will reach unhealthy levels in smoke-affected areas in the mountains and downwind of the fire.
