A brush fire near Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale, California, sent thick smoke billowing into the sky on Sunday. Images and videos shared on social media showed a towering column of smoke visible from several nearby communities.
Los Angeles County firefighters and aerial crews are on the scene working to contain the blaze.
The fire, identified online as the Ethan Fire, broke out in the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.
Andrew Valdez on X reported that fire crews and aircraft from the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Air Operations Division were already at the scene shortly after the fire was reported. He added that a “large header of smoke” was visible from Azusa.
Also read: ‘Cabin fire in back’: Laptop catches fire on US flight with over 130 passengers, 5 injured
What happened at the Santa Fe Dam?
According to social media updates from witnesses and local news trackers, the fire blazed near the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, close to Interstate 605 in Irwindale.
{{/usCountry}}According to social media updates from witnesses and local news trackers, the fire blazed near the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, close to Interstate 605 in Irwindale.
{{/usCountry}}SGV CityWatch reported that the flames were burning closer to the 605 Freeway. The X account reported that cars had stopped on the highway shoulder to watch the fire causing traffic congestion.
The Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area sits along the San Gabriel River and is surrounded by open vegetation that can become highly susceptible to fire during California’s wildfire season. Fire officials frequently urge residents to avoid stopping near active incidents because parked vehicles can block emergency access routes.
Also read: Austin fire: Large blaze erupts at Austin Country Flea Market; videos surface
Smokes seen from other communities
Photos and videos circulating online showed dense grey smoke rising high above the San Gabriel Valley. The smoke could reportedly be seen from Azusa and neighbouring communities.
A user on X shared a picture of dense dark smoke coming out of the area and wrote, “Pretty impressive smoke coming from the Ethan Fire in Irwindale. This is the view from La Canada... #EthanFire”
Authorities have not yet announced the cause of the Ethan Fire. Investigators are expected to examine the area after firefighters establish containment.
Locals have reported that the forward progress of the fire has stopped. A user wrote, “Forward progress stopped on the #EthanFire, and now we just get to enjoy the purple mountain magesty with some summer night music.”
However, there is no official update available from Los Angeles County fire department at time of reporting.