A rapidly spreading fire in the Angeles National Forest near the Azusa area is threatening structures on Sunday, officials said.
The Bobcat Fire erupted around 12:20 p.m. and has scorched about 1,800 acres of heavy fuels, according to forest officials. Video from the scene shows smoke rising from the Azusa area.
“Firefighters are experiencing erratic fire behavior,” officials said.
The fast-moving fire had exploded to about 500 acres by 2:40 p.m., doubled in size in just two hours and then grew another 800 acres by 6 p.m. It was 0% contained.
“No threat to Azusa residents,” city officials said in announcing the closure of Azusa Canyon. “Avoid canyon at this time only emergency vehicles and residents will be allowed up the canyon.”
The blaze erupted as Southern California experienced record-breaking, triple-digit heat on Labor Day weekend.
The Bobcat Fire area was scorching under a temperature of 103, fanned by winds gusting at 14 mph at the higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service.
In San Bernardino County, the El Dorado Fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and forced the evacuation of residents in the Yucaipa area.
