15-Mile Stretch of Angeles Crest Highway Closed Near Fire

As a brush fire advanced Friday through rugged wilderness, officials closed 15 miles of Angeles Crest Highway and shut four campgrounds near Wrightwood.

There were no plans to evacuate Wrightwood even though the 7,500-acre blaze in Angeles National Forest was four miles from the resort community.

“Wrightwood is still in no danger,” said Linda Christman, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

The highway closure, between Wrightwood and Mt. Islip, affects a route often used instead of freeways between Los Angeles and Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County. Four campgrounds near the Pacific Crest Trail and two sections of that popular hiking route also have been closed.

Facing remote and rough terrain, firefighters relied on 10 air tankers and 15 helicopters to douse flames. More than 1,500 firefighters from a host of agencies were assigned to the fire and most were standing by in Wrightwood.

Officials estimated that it has cost a $1 million to battle the blaze, which began Wednesday near the scenic Bridge to Nowhere when campers tried to dispose of toilet paper by burning it. One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion on the first day.