Aug. 17--The brush fire that exploded in parts of Montebello and spread into unincorporated Los Angeles County before being tamed wasn't the largest burning in a heat wave that baked Southern California, but it may have been the most unusual.
It's rare for a fire smack in the middle of urban and suburban L.A. to grow as quickly as the Lincoln fire did, said county fire Assistant Chief Nick Duvally. The fire burned in a riverbed a short distance from The Shops at Montebello Mall, the 60 Freeway, oil derricks, the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area and homes, sending ashes falling into neighboring cities miles away.
Duvally said the blaze, which grew to about 370 acres and was 80% contained by Monday afternoon, was a testament to how dry most of Southern California has become after years of drought. He said some veteran firefighters "haven't seen a piece like this burn in 50 years."
He said it was fortunate winds were weak and that paved roads that might not have existed in wildland areas acted as fire breaks.
A homeless man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire, which was one of three burning in L.A. County. Fire officials said that after triple-digit temperature days, gradually cooling temperatures would help in fighting the blazes.
North of Glendora, the Cabin fire has burned through more than 1,700-acres, destroying three cabins and an outhouse. The blaze was 84% contained Monday, officials said. Ten firefighters have suffered minor injuries while battling the flames.
Farther north, the Warm fire that started Sunday at Lake Hughes Road in Castaic has spread across 300 acres. Flames have destroyed six vacant structures at an abandoned rehabilitation facility. The blaze was 50% contained Monday. Firefighters working on the Cabin fire will be pulled from the blaze to help with the Castaic blaze.
At least 150 firefighters were tackling the Lincoln fire Monday.
Of the man suspected of starting the blaze, Lt. Michael Bergman of the Montebello Police Department said Sunday: "We don't know if it was malicious intent or just a reckless fire."
Duvally said the urban setting didn't affect how the Montebello Fire Department and L.A. County Fire Department fought the blaze.
"For us it's just like being in Santa Clarita," Duvally said. "Our No. 1 responsibility after lives in this situation is structures."
Dan Amador, deputy chief of the Montebello Fire Department, said Sunday the fast-moving fire, which was reported about 1:15 p.m., jumped across Lincoln Avenue and spread into the Montebello Hills. No structures have been damaged, Amador said.
Durfee Avenue runs through the middle of the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. On one side of the road, the burned brush could be seen running up all the way to oil derricks in the Montebello Hills. On Sunday the fields operated by PXP Oil were shut down, officials said.
On the other side of Durfee Avenue on Monday, joggers and walkers were exercising, even though many of the roads into the park were closed to the public.
Flor Hernandez was speedwalking with her daughter and niece. They live on Andrew Street, right behind South El Monte High School.
"They didn't let me go home yesterday," Hernandez said. "I first found out about [the fire] because I saw it from the freeway."
The fire forced officials to close the 60 Freeway and evacuate the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, including Legg Lake and a nearby shooting range.
As close as the fire was to their house, Hernandez's niece was frustrated by the loss of electricity.
"We had no Internet," said Aaliyah Hernandez, 13. "I was dying."
On Monday, Flor said they noticed fewer people in the park.
"I really like coming out here and seeing people on the paths," Flor Hernandez said. "There's definitely a lot less people walking in the park."
Amador said Sunday evening that three Montebello firefighters were injured. One had neck and back injuries associated with the hard landing of a helicopter, another firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and one injured his shoulder. One L.A. County Firefighter was also injured.
More than 13,000 firefighters are battling 19 wildfires, including the three in Los Angeles County, across California, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Cal Fire warned that while temperatures will be cooler statewide, dry and warm conditions will continue and increase the threat of wildfires.
Meanwhile, firefighters are struggling to contain a lightning-sparked fire east of Fresno. The 17,377-acre Rough fire started July 31 in the Sierra National Forest, Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
Flames were burning in steep and rugged terrain and moving closer to control lines, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
California 180 at Princess Campground and Tenmile Creek Road was closed. Forest service and park campgrounds and trailheads were closed from Hume Lake to Cedar Grove.
Twitter: @boreskes
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UPDATES
4:24 p.m.: This article updated acreage and containment details for the Lincoln and Warm fires.
2:32 p.m.: This article was updated with new information throughout.
11:02 a.m.: This article was updated with details on other wildfires burning in California.
8:16 a.m.: This article was updated with details about the Cabin fire and Warm fire.
7:46 a.m.: This article updated with the Lincoln fire growing to 225 acres.
The first version of this article was published at 6:43 a.m.
