Evacuations were ordered Thursday in Azusa when a hillside brush fire broke out during a day of red flag warnings in Southern California.
The fire, estimated at about 43 acres, was near the area of San Gabriel Canyon. The order was issued for Roberts and San Gabriel canyons, but later reduced to an evacuation warning. Crews stopped the forward progress of the fire that was 41% contained by 6:10 p.m.
Evacuation warnings mean residents should be prepared for possible evacuation orders.
Water-dropping helicopters responded to the location east of Los Angeles. The fire was reported about 12:45 p.m. in medium-to-heavy brush above a residential neighborhood.
Details about a cause were not immediately available.
A red flag warning went into effect Thursday morning for parts of Los Angeles County with Santa Ana winds expected to gain strength late this week. The conditions increase the possibility of rapidly spreading brush fires.
Southern California fire agencies and emergency-preparedness officials were on heightened alert. Los Angeles city and county fire departments are increasing staffing and pre-positioning additional ground and aerial resources.
The county’s Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center, were activated Thursday morning.
Southern California Edison has notified communities of the potential for public safety power shutoffs. The shutoffs are a precautionary measure to de-energize powerlines during high wind events.
