Sharp fire: Blaze in steep forest terrain grows to 100 acres

The Sharp fire in Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood has now covered 100 acres, but firefighters have been able to make some headway as the fireline moves southeast away from the town.

The Sharp fire had already doubled in size to 60 acres overnight. There are 380 firefighters assigned to the blaze, which is moving in steep, inaccessible terrain.

The fire, first reported about 12:15 p.m. Thursday, prompted officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders for Mojave Scenic and East Canyon drives south from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Buckthorn, Slippery Elm and Mahogany roads.

“It’s pushing away from the town, for now,” said Ryan Carey, an information specialist for Angeles National Forest.

So far, no injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged, he added.

Relatively low winds and a steady air attack from above were assisting the firefighting effort, Carey said, but those conditions could change later in the day. The “critical period” would be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when winds tend to pick up, he added.

Meanwhile, firefighters are working to overcome the steep and rocky terrain where the flames are burning in the Angeles National Forest.

“They’re focusing on doing water drops, putting in hand crews, just suppressing the fire pretty much, hitting it hard,” said Shaun Rollman, spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service.

A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up at Serrano High School, 9292 Sheep Creek Road, in Phelan.

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