Updated: Madre Fire in Angeles National Forest Blaze 70 Percent Contained

By City News Service

Updated 6:41 p.m.

A fire that began north of Azusa late Monday and burned into the Angeles National Forest, scorching about 250 acres, was about 70 percent contained this evening, thanks to water drops, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Firefighters worked through the day to make progress hemming in the Madre Fire, because the wind was forecast to pick up about 5 p.m., Nathan Judy of the
Forest Service said.

"We're looking really good," he said. About 10 aircraft, including
Super Scoopers, a DC10 and helicopters, made drops on the wildfire this afternoon.

Full containment is expected by Friday morning, Judy said.

The burn area remained around 250 acres. About 450 firefighters were assigned to the blaze.

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Smoke wafting across the valley visible to Diamond Bar and Walnut residents is from a blaze burning in the Angeles National Forest.

A fire that began north of Azusa and spread into the Angeles National Forest was 5 percent contained this morning after prompting the evacuation of three homes, the U.S. Forest Service reported. It has burned around 200 acres, authorities said.

The fire broke out at 5:56 p.m. Monday, drawing a response that featured water-dropping SuperScoopers and helicopters and the deployment of Los Angeles County firefighters on the ground.

As of 11 p.m. Monday, the fire had grown from about 50 acres to 190 acres and caused the evacuation of three homes, said Nathan Judy of the U.S. Forest Service, which took over firefighting duties from L.A. County Fire.

One helicopter and about 150 firefighters were on scene this morning. The fire was mostly burning in Fish Canyon near Van Tassel Ridge, said Angel Lavell of the Angeles National Forest.

Street closures in the Duarte area included Huntington Drive at Encanto Parkway. All residential streets that intersect with Encanto Parkway north of Huntington Drive into Fish Canyon were also closed. Encanto Park was closed and being used as a staging area for water-dropping helicopters.