Firefighters contain Monrovia brush fire with most evacuation orders lifted
A brush fire in Monrovia that prompted residents and a group of Boy Scouts to evacuate Saturday night has been contained, officials said.
The five-acre fire broke out about 7:30 p.m. near the foothills of the Angeles National Forest, north of the 210 Freeway, according to the city of Monrovia. The Monrovia Fire Department, aided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service, responded to the blaze and brought it under control before midnight.
Firefighting personnel remained on the scene throughout the evening. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
All mandatory evacuation orders were lifted except for the 500 block of Norumbega Drive. Displaced residents can take shelter at the Monrovia Community Center, located at 119 West Palm Ave., according to a city statement.
Full coverage: Southern California fires »
The evacuees included a group of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts who were spending the weekend at Camp Trask in the foothills of the national forest.
A member of the group, David Hilton, estimated there were as many as 150 people at the camp. He said the Scouts learned about the fire from a forest ranger, who came to tell them they were all being evacuated.
Twitter: @annamphillips
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UPDATES:
Dec. 10, 1:05 a.m.: This article was updated after the fire was contained.
This article was originally published Dec. 9 at 9:40 p.m.
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